I have a 2006 Altis Pakistan model, and it is comfortable as anything, has 115,000 km on it, very comfortable even on bad Pakistani type roads.
I have a 2009 Altis which is the newer model, just 60,000 genuine km on it, and it has the toughest roughest ride of all, it handles great on corners and is a lot more sportier. But I'm starting to think that is just how the car is. I was able to improve the ride a little bit by lowering the tires pressure from 30 to 26, otherwise just sick of the ride. Its comfortable as anything on good flat roads of Islamabad and motorway, but find a road with bumps or dried mud on it and good luck.
I have driven the 2015 new version altis, and it is much more soft and comfortable. It feels like a mix between the last 2 generations, sporty and soft.
I'm afraid that 2009 Altis is just that way from the factory, I've also driven in usa and its also the same, but someone with better knowledge can update?