I had Lagunitas Equinox (an 8% abv APA) and Port Hop 15 tonight. Both were too malty and full, especially Equinox. It brought drinkability way down. I guess it all boils down to personal preference. I enjoy 1.008-1.012 FG, sub 7 SRM, simple grist, Pacific NW hopped IPAs at 6.5 - 8.0 abv. Give me a ton of late hops, but not so much where the bitterness doesn't stand up and you're left with sweet hop juice.
IMO, rich malt character can be had for many other styles. For an IPA, it should be all about the hops, the crispness, the citrus, the pine, the dryness, the bitterness without the acrid harshness or poor aftertaste. It should be so simple, yet so many people mess it up. Proof that this style is so hard to nail down a 10/10 example despite the obvious simplicity of recipe design.