I was coming off a steel road bike, after 35 years on it, and wanted something that sit me more upright, had big wheels, a big frame, front suspension, could carry a load of groceries, drop outs for fenders and such, with wide enough tires for gravel and occasional dirt, with high enough gearing to ride the road......
The Hybrid fit the bill better than anything else I rode.
My Specialized Crosstrail (08) is the perfect do it all bike, fo me.
I sold the steel road bike about 3 weeks later, and never looked back.