I think the tiers are becoming a lot more clear for this game. EX Iori, Benimaru, Kim, Karate, possibly EX Kyo are tops. I think right behind them are characters like Shen, Claw, 13 Kyo, Takuma, Hwa, Chin, Yuri, possibly Duo Lon with recent tourney results. There might be a few more characters sprinkled into that second group that aren't represented as much, and it is also very debatable.
The top group feels to be dominating tournies as far as character representation goes. In theory I think EX Iori and Benimaru are the best because of the ridiculously meter efficient combos they can do if you have the execution. Kim and Karate seem to be generally the best because of how practical their really good stuff is.
This isn't to say that the othe characters aren't viable (because I know someone is going to bring up how Mai and other lower tiered characters are making top 8) but I do think there is a much more noticable gap than before.