I think the Robin 2160 would be an excellect aircraft for you to learn to fly in. You have correctly identified the similarities in the basic configuration of the aircraft (low wing, control column not a yoke, good vis etc.) that will mean that at least in you own mind you are not taking a step too far away from what you know.
The more popular choices of PA28/C150/C152 are not driven by customer popularity but by operator popularity! This popularity is (I suspect) mainly driven by commercial concerns.
The aerobatic capabilities of the aircraft will not make it difficult to fly, rather the opposite.