Ok so hopefully this isn't as stupid a question as the title makes it seem, and I get some sensible answers.

Basically, I currently have a Seat Ibiza. So a small-ish hatchback. It currently has poly bushes, kw v3 suspension, new ARBS, strut braces blah blah blah. And it handles reasonably well.

I used to have a 306 gti-6 and standard, it probably out handled my Ibiza at the moment.

Everyone knows Clios handle really well out the box too.

So whats the reasoning. They're all small-ish hatchbacks with a (generally) similar suspension set up. So what makes them so different to drive? From what I've seen, its not spring and shock rates, its not bushes etc.

Is it smaller wheels (Stupid big brakes need stupid big 17s to clear them), is it the chassis (and if it is, what about the chassis is it) or am I just oversimplifying and its a combination of all those things.