I started with Fuji Absolute and really liked it, but I was getting a lot of hand numbness. I added bar ends and that helped a lot, but I wasn't comfortable having my hands that far from the brakes in my standard riding position. Then I was in a local shop one day and they had a prior year Fuji Jari (drop bar gravel bike) at a great price. I took it out for a test ride, and I was hooked. I like the variety of hand positions combined with the ability to still run wide tires like a hybrid. I can ride for hours without experiencing any numbness now.
I still have a mountain bike, but I really only choose it when I'm riding very rough roads where the front suspension helps, or in loose material where the 2.1" tires are better. It's a fun bike, for sure, but after 10 miles or so I start feeling it in my hands. For roads and rail trails, I choose the gravel bike every time.