$1500 can get you quite a lot in the hybrid category. You should be able to get a high end hybrid and enough for accessories(lights/bottle/bottle cage/bags/tools/etc) and racks within that $1500 budget. I assume that you aren't looking for anything with drop bars since you are in the hybrid forum. Here is a list I threw together of the top brands and the models that should be what you're looking for. Each model will usually come in different degrees(example, Cannondale Quick 5, 4, SL3, SL2, SL1) usually starting around $500 and doing up to around the $1500 mark. I personally ride a Cannondale Quick 4 and love it. However, if I had seen it before my purchase I would have gotten a Cannondale Bad Boy 5. Anyways, here is the list in no particular order and links to what I think fits the description of what you're looking for.
Cannondale
Quick
http://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes...ation/quick-sl
Bad Boy
http://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes.../urban/bad-boy
GIANT
Escape
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...0/11500/55829/
Rapid
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...1/11499/55824/
Seek
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...0/11501/55835/
Specialized
Sirrus
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/multi-use/sirrus
Source
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/multi-use/source
Trek
FX
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...ness/fx/models
SoHo
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...ho/soho_deluxe
Jamis
Coda
http://www.myjamis.com/SSP%20Applica...cat_grp=strt_2