XT2- Does the grip... improve the grip?

I'm renting a XT2 and 16-55mm and kicking the tires on it so to speak. In the next six months I'll be sinking the $ into a new system. I'm currently using M43/ GH4, and have a x100T as well.

So far...

The positive:

The IQ is stunning. After the camera goes back I'll do some serious RAW analysis, but so far the jpegs are amazing all on their own ( even in Apple Photos). The DR is impressive as are the colors. I'll put the files through their paces in either C1 or something else.

Love the manual controls. Although I've adapted to the new paradigm, I'm an old knob and dial Nikon FM2/ F3 guy at heart.

Joystick focus knob- finally!

The build- very substantial, very nice.

The shutter sound/activation- somewhat intoxicating after using the GH4 for several years. Sounds and feels like a real camera.

The negative:

The buttons are fiddly and undersized, particularly regarding back button AF execution. Fuji- really? A real bummer. An after-market solution is in order, Sugru, stick on buttons etc. I can't imagine using this camera with gloves on. If Fuji wants their pro line to be "Pro" , they need to get away from these micro buttons. IMO, there's little too much form over function going on with the Fuji designers. It reminds me of Apple as of late. Grrr.

Body gripability- I would refrain from using the bigger glass (pro zooms) on this body without adding the accessory grip. The built in grip is again, too "fiddly" for my tastes. With primes it's probably adequate, with heavy glass like the 16-55 - it's a nose heavy ergonomic mess. (I have the Arca plate/grip on my X100T)

... So, does the accessory grip make a significant difference is this regard? I wish I would have rented this as well. I'd love to hear feedback.

Battery life- yikes. The mantra about mirrorless cameras (largely true) , is that the battery life stinks. This should be clarified. The battery life on the GH4 is stunningly good. Not all mirrorless cameras are created equal in this regard. No surprise, the XT2 battery life is not in the GH4 category. ;-(

The I'm not sure yet:

AF... I have not put it thoroughly to the test yet. I'll do so tonight after the kiddos get home. However, my initial reaction is that it is not an improvement over what I'm used to on my GH4. It may even be a downgrade. The GH4's AF is impressive, all things considered. Again, this is preliminary, I hope to have a better idea by the time I send it back.

If anyone has experience with both the GH4/12-35mm  and the XT2/ 16-55mm in regards to AF performance, I'm all ears.

Weight...Not until I rented this kit, was I aware of how light weight M43 gear is...and how much I've grown accustomed and appreciate it's modest weight. This one caught me totally by surprise. While the XT2 and GH4 are very similar in weight, the 16-55 is a beast compared to the Panasonic 12-35. I imagine the the same is true (and more so) comparing the Fuji 50-140 and the Panasonic 35-100. FWIW, I'm only interested in the Pro spec zoom glass primarily. Funny, I can't imagine ever going back to a FF pro kit again, two bodies with 24-70 and 70-200 equivalent lenses... no way. BTW, once upon a time I was a Pro DX user- Fuji S2,S3 and Nikon D300. I'm not unfamiliar with APSC, it's just been a while.

Anyway, I have the kit for another day. I'll try the AF more thoroughly tonight.