That is why he has that model for full Emtb needs
When a model is still one the best in it's class when it is 2.5 years old, it is a testimony to it's original design and components.
The FLX Blade 2 is also a great bike, especially if design looks are more important to you, but remember it is a hardtail. Seems like you might need that rear suspension from what you are posting.
As somebody who also pondered this question, people who say just put a really good suspension seat post on it to deal with the comfort aspect, but not the safety aspect of a full suspension bike doing a much better job of keeping the wheel planted on the ground, so it's safer regardless of the increased comfort levels. Even if you don't do a ton of trail riding do your roads have lots of pot holes?
I used to live in a city that had brutal winters and in the spring riding a bike was bad as their was so many pot holes around, that needed to be filled, brutal on hardtails and you could feel the rear wheel slippage at times.
You might also consider the FREY CC on your list, it ticks alot of boxes too.
One EBR member purchased this and later upgraded the controller to WW X1, and he really like it.