Not quite. Ride quality was unsurpassed up to the end of the hydraulic C5s. The B7 incarnation of the C4, while on springs, still has the serene ride of oid. Try one.
The stiffer suspensions so common now are attempts by family cars to be sports cars. The Germans all have this disease. As you say, journalists approve.
Fair enough re the C5. I've never ridden in a C4, vers. B7 either. I was shocked though, when I drove across France some years ago in a Xsara Picasso.
Thanks for the comment.