Truth be told, I completed my first ever playthrough as Alistair basically.
He was easy to play with all the high defenses, and most importantly, he was funny. Sorry, but as much love I have for DAO, I never "got" the Warden. I never felt connected to any of mine, at least.
Trivia:
My Inquisitor really grew on me. I have a very elaborate backstory getting more and more sophisticated in my head, and the occasional smirk-worthy middle-wheel-comments kinda compliment that in a superficial, yet not "intrusive" manner. On the other hand, I get thrown back a mile everytime they mention my Trevelyan-ness or nobility :/
I guess what I'm saying is, he starts to work better as a "blank slate" than the Warden ever did.