I used to own a Fuji Sunfire 2.0 - didn't think much of it.

It was the first bike I'd owned for quite a while and it felt okay when I bought it. But after a few months I upgraded and sold the Fuji - test riding it before I gave it to the dude who bought it to make sure I was handing over a safe bike. And gee wiz...after riding the new bike the Fuji felt like a tank...heavy, I could feel every bump, horrible ride. Doesn't compare to my Scott...not even in the same ball park in terms of responsiveness, comfort, performance...

I've never ridden an absolute but from what I remember it had no front suspension. Which is probably fine for the type of riding you're describing.

This is just my personal opinion but whenever someone talks about getting a hybrid I always recommend getting one with front suspension - if you don't use it (which may be most of the time) you can just lock it out...but IMO a hybrid should be capable of going out on the roads and performing well and also heading out for a nice day of off-road, x/country riding...nothing too extreme...but you'd need a front susp. for that.

I'm glad I did with mine...I've actually turned it into more of a MTB now that I've bought a road bike. I use my Scott at the local MTB park - and it performs quite well. (FYI...I ride it on the roads for 22kms to get to the park...flick a switch and do 17km of mtb trails...flick a switch and ride 22km home on the roads...flexibility is a key to a good hybrid I reckon.