> loads instantaneously

I've never encountered a case where VLC did not load "instantaneously". Unless you're using a baked potato this should always be the case. If you have proper benchmarks for different video files and different hardware, cite them. "Instantaneously" doesn't mean a thing.

Your other points are equally subjective and meaningless. Especially vim bindings, really? That is now considered a feature? And I don't get how directly changing the configuration from the GUI where each option is explained in detail is simpler than a error-prone process of modifying a text configuration.

My comment was not meant as a slight on VLC. If I was incorrect about load time that does not invalidate the other points. The concept of a "feature" is subjective and if someone finds them valuable, then they are valuable features by definition.