You're correct - Hybrids excell at being a do it all bike. Home on pavement, gravel, packed gravel, packed dirt - etc.
With 700X40 tires on there - they are very nice commuters, grocery getters, path riders, etc. And, those that are considered Performance Hybrids, like the FX, Sirrus, etc, also like to go fast - just not as fast as a true road bike.l