I would also point you to the Giant Escape series, just because unless you really "need" it, I just don't like suspension forks for most riding that I do. The normal escape series will take, if not come with 35mm tires which are nice, lot of choices and reasonably meaty for varied terrain. The Escape RX series are flat bar road bikes on 26's or 28's, they are more rigid and responsive feeling, but a bit less all terrain worthy, mostly from a comfort and stability point of view by comparison.

I don't know the models of the other makes, I only know the Giant models from test riding them.