Pretty accurate analysis I see here.
IMHO in the end it just narrows down to personal likes and dislikes - some might find it funny but I sold my 7th gen only for one reason - I wanted a sixth gen.
I find it a car which is more complete as a sedan.
The interior, yes, seems very prehistoric - but way well thought than any of the counterparts.
The exterior - it comes with a full length bonnet as compared to the bird like Tiny beaks of the latter models. Rear end is built by designers for car lovers and not by mass producers for the masses.
The ride height which enhances the drive/ride pleasure.
The meter is dim. The brakes aren't at par with the latter models. The interior is dull black. And yes, it's 10 years old. But owning one and driving it, you don't seem to care about all those downsides.
Whoever has owned one, and the shifted to the newer, few years down the line you'll look back and think - yeah, that was the best.