How do suspension bushing characteristics affect vehicle ride and handling?

Bushings provide controlled compliance and isolation between suspension components. Softer bushings improve NVH isolation and ride comfort but allow more deflection affecting handling precision. Harder bushings improve response and reduce compliance steer but transmit more vibration. Bushing rate varies with frequency - stiffer at high frequency for isolation, compliant at low for comfort. Voided bushings, hydraulic bushings, and dual-rate designs are used to optimize the compromise between comfort and handling.