Depends on the commute, right?
I have a well-employed friend who commutes 18 miles through the NW Boston suburbs each way every day. 36 miles a day is plenty and a nice bike is a lot cheaper than a crappy car. That commute calls for a different bike than someone commuting 12 city-blocks to a downtown office building.
OTOH, my wife worked in Leiden for a year and commuted (like almost everyone else) on a bike that was about $89.
And . . . who cares if the manufacturers call something a "commuter". Everyone should still buy the bike(s) they'll ride.
Just my opinion, I think it's great some people want to Commute to work on a Bike. That Said, Not sure I'd want to walk in to a Important Meeting looking like I just "rolled" out of Bed, Helmet Hair, Hot and Sticky? (or worse Smelly) but that's just Me. Then IF your Bike IS Stolen You get to walk home, but I guess that could happen even if you drive your car. Peddle on!