The engine, power steering and most of the front suspension is mounted on a separate cradle that is then attached to the car with four large rubber mounts. This lessens the amount of noise and vibration that make its way into the cabin. Triple door seals also keep out noise, and sound deadening material is placed on the instrument panel, floor of the trunk and over the rear wheels. Sheetmetal is double-galvanized to resist corrosion. These are items that cannot be readily seen but are important over the life of the vehicle.
Brakes are disc in front and drum in back, with anti-lock standard.
Other handy touches include air filtration for the passenger compartment and battery-rundown protection. Steering feel is much improved, thanks to a new variable-assist power steering unit that uses a combination of electronics, hydraulics and electromagnetics. At parking speeds it is light and responsive, yet it firms up as speed increases. The new dashboard has revised instruments located in a curving pod behind the steering wheel. Most switches, including radio and climate control, have been redesigned for easier use.