I guess there always is the feeling generated by many small stimuli in the car. The way the car sounds, the way the suspension travels over bumps and around corners, the way the steering reacts to your direction. The way the pedals react to your feet, whether they are spongy or not.

I won't go into the actual cornering ability, but I think the feeling is a large part about driving a car. I'd also rather have a good feel and slower speed than better outright speed but not feel good, such as poor responsiveness or jerkiness.

Then, apart from these stimuli, I think the other part of the feel of a car is in the mind - what we know of the car's brand, any prestige, and just the mystique that goes along with it.