Shameless plug but i’m selling one on Ebay currently (starting bid £175). It’s a Specialized Sirrus Sport which has only done around 400 miles. Don’t ride it enough to warrant and it is bike number 5!
I ride road and mtb and got it because we were going on holiday and I could only take one bike. I used it for some long road climbs and it was pretty quick but then was fine on the cycle paths with a child seat on the back. I’d never take it on anything more than gravel tracks though as it’s more road than mountain bike.
I think what you’ll find though is that they are “jack of all trades, master of none”. Ride it on the road and it’s quicker than a mtb but still slightly slower than a road bike (1mph or so because of the upright position). Ride it on gravel tracks and you’ll want a mtb to do the rougher stuff.
If you want something that you could commute on and take the kids on, they’re fine but i’ve had loads of rides where i’ve wished to be on something else as it’s not quite right but none where i’ve said, “I wish I was on the hybrid.”
That being said, if I was heading on a family holiday again, i’d take it. As a 2nd/3rd bike they’re good.
One other point, nobody nods at hybrid riders 😀