In what ways is Civ V better than its predecessors?
Umm, well, better graphics obviously. They've also fixed various annoyances, but introduced new ones.
As to things that I prefer, well there's no stacking of units and it's on a hex map which gives more realistic zones of control. Cities have rudimentary defences so you can leave them without a unit in and they can survive. You don't have to load units in to ships to move them over water, you just move them on to water and they become 'embarked'; basically less tedious logisitcs. Various other bits that I can't think of right now. Oh yeah, mods are easy to choose, install and use.
Anyway, I'm on 1646 hours now...