It's not a sports car but neither is the outback. For all you know the test car's tires were underinflated. But German cars do feel differently than Japanese cars. Jetta/Golf also use electronic steering so maybe that's what you were feeling.
EDIT: a shaft does connect the steering wheel, it's just electric steering. I typed wrong!
EDIT: a shaft does connect the steering wheel, it's just electric steering. I typed wrong!