I've owned just about every non restricted black rifle there is. And a ton of low and high end ar's.
I find the quality to meet or exceed the xcr's. Safety position and bolt release disregarded, the t97 is a better designed rifle. The xcr's barrel attachment method can be described as "hokey" at best, I suspect a lot of its inaccuracy stems from this design.
And in terms of general usefulness, I find it's compact size and good balance to make it more useful than something like my sl8.
It wouldn't be my one and only rifle, certainly. But it does make a great little nonrestricted "truck" gun.
I feel for dollars out and rifle in return, I'd certainly buy another one of these before another xcr or rfb. Certainly before a mini 14, m305, su-16, etc.