Here are my top 3:

1. The way it drives.
2. The way it handles.
3. The way it goes.

My dealer gave me the newly detailed demo E70 4.8 non-sport to try for a few days. I plan to buy a new SUV to replace our Volvo XC90 in a few months and wanted to let my wife drive it to convince her that she should choose the X for her Volvo replacement instead of an Acura, Lexus, or another Volvo. She likes my E53 but says the ride is a bit too choppy due to the short wheel base.

Driving the E70 25 minutes home on highways and residential streets I now have my one little BIG thing that I like about this vehicle - Elegance [or: Civility, Maturity, you choose]

The X now feels silky on smooth roads; calm on bumpy roads; and in control in the ugly stuff. Power feels about the same but with smoother delivery. Interior is higher elegance and quality. My, my, my... Our E53 has grown up into a well mannered road partner.

For all of you who are skeptical of why the price is $5,000 more, take one for a day and you'll feel where all the upgrades went. Your newfound sense of calm and luxury (for an SUV) will quickly be worth the extra funds. I'm sold.

"Elegance" is the perfect word to describe this vehicle. I am still confused by the comments on this board that "the dash is ugly", the I-Drive is confusing, etc. I still wake up looking forward to my ride to work.

BTW- how did you like the XC90, I am looking for a new car for my wife and we are looking at the XC90, MDX and 2008 Hylander Hybrid. She needs 6 seats min and puts alot of miles on the car so gas mileage is a big concern as well as third row.

XC90 has more design flaws than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. You feel like you ride ON the car rather than IN the car; it goes fairly well in a straight line but don't try to turn; its suspension is so poorly designed it eats tires in about 28,000 miles; its engine/tranny is less than responsive when you really need power right now - don't ever try to shoot the gap in traffic; and the list goes on... If you really need a third row without getting a Suburban-type of vehicle, I haven't found one that drives acceptably and has ample space in the third row seats.

Thanks, she has a Yukon XL now, and really doesnt want another one. I am leaning toward the MDX, just a bit more than I wanted to spend.

My favorite little things:
The windows and roof open when holding down the door open button on the key fob.
The headlights dance when I jiggle the steering wheel!
Push button start.
Auto dimming mirrors

I have a Treo and the slot unfortunately is not fat enough... just misses the mark by a few centimeters... doh.

I have the snap-in adapter for my phone so I have yet to find a use for this!

SP: Can you post a pic of your snap-in adapter?

Another cool thing, not really something most good drivers would need, but still kind of a cool little thing - whatever they call the feature that keeps the car in place on a hill, preventing hill roll when you take your foot off the brake before you get on the gas.

Not really necessary for anyone who knows how to drive, but next time it's an X5, I won't have to worry about the idiot in front of me rolling into me.... (not that an idiot would be smart enough to buy an X5, but you get the point).