I've had 700 kg cars that rivalled sports cars for grip and ability to accelerate. To say that sub 1 ton cars are going to be unpleasant to drive at highway speeds is a statement that does not jive with my 43 years of driving experience on three continents and in many types of vehicle and road conditions.
What is far more important than total mass is mass distribution, width of the tires (which can be an advantage and a disadvantage depending on the conditions) and traction model. Noise is a function of isolation and shape of the body and road contact and here lighter cars have the advantage: substantially reduced tire noise.
What is far more important than total mass is mass distribution, width of the tires (which can be an advantage and a disadvantage depending on the conditions) and traction model. Noise is a function of isolation and shape of the body and road contact and here lighter cars have the advantage: substantially reduced tire noise.