Definitely agreed. Both XCOM and Colonization are some of my favorite games! I like Colonization so much I bought it from GOG recently, even though I'm under no illusion I'll have time to play it.
In my games it was usually the Dutch that ended up forming the... uh, United States of the Netherlands? :P
I usually play French. Because I hate wiping the natives, and French co-exist with them rather easily. Occasional bands still attack your settlements, but are usually easily repelled. Just don't let natives get access to muskets or horses, and bring them a gift from time to time.
In my games it was usually the Dutch that ended up forming the... uh, United States of the Netherlands? :P