I briefly dipped into D about two years ago. In terms of features, it is similarly big as C++, but a lot more sanity-oriented in terms syntax and semantics. The library ecosystem could be better, but IIRC, it is possible to use C (maybe even C++) libraries from D.

The community is awesome, super friendly and super helpful even in the face of the most stupid newbie-questions I could come up with. ;-)

In the end, I backed out, because the language was too big and complex for my taste and needs. But if you kind-of-like C++, you are likely to fall in love with D.

D is indeed a fully equipped machine shop, but nobody says you have to start with the Bridgeport milling machine. You can write very capable programs with just the C-ish subset.

I tried, I really did, but then I got distracted by all those shiny features and was unable to resist the temptation to play with them all. :-) I had the same problem with C++.

I will probably give it another try one day, if only for the super-friendly and welcoming community.

No - the comparison never occurred to me.