Santa Cruz Superlight is available in your size range and well within your budget
A very versatile full suspension design that doesnt rob your pedalling --- i had an older generation Superlight , but was looking at one being built up at my LBS recently - seriously nice bikes for the money. Wheel sizes depend on size of the bike, S and M are 27.5 while the L and XL are 29'ers
the Santa Cruz was my first dual suspension bike, and when i had the air pressure properly set, the nice thing was all i had to do was provide the motor-- then let the suspension do the rest on moderate trails. The comfort level let me ride for hours longer than i ever did my old hardtails, - and i raced sanctioned NORBA events BITD