I think the pros and cons are pretty obvious. What really matters is what do you actually want out of this? If you are out for speed and that is all that matters to you then gravel bike make that an aero gravel bike with deep section wheels. Do you want a nice comfy cruise where you just get some miles in and enjoy being outside then a XC bike with gravel tires is the way to go forget the drop bars. They make all kinds of funky multi hand postion bars these days for gravel riders that use flat bar shifters and brakes or just get old school bar ends. Gravel has no rules. I ride a cyclocross bike and I ride with a guy on his full suspension mtn bike with 140mm of travel that just swaps wheels and tire. In certain places I'm better off and in others he is but we both finish the ride and have fun.