solid surface is ok except use a stainless undermount sink, not the matching (or worse, white) solid surface. my corian sink had cracks around the drain (bad for any color) and was stained by tea bags or cranberry juice poured in the sink and not immediately rinsed.

granite is good, but some kinds need more upkeep and sealing than others, make sure you understand what you are buying.

if by engineered stone you mean quartz, its great stuff.

you cannot/should not set a hot casserole on any of these, trivets still required.

We'll be replacing our kitchen counters soon too. I'm looking at quartz for the maintenance-free aspect, but I'm also considering using soapstone on the island (which is small). Still a long way from deciding.

Color-wise, decide if you even like granite. I was convinced that's what I wanted until I really started looking at it, many many slabs, and realized I just didn't like most of the looks! That is, it's one of those things I think is beautiful in other people's homes but I don't think I would like it myself day in & day out. I realized that I prefered a more "consistent" color look, if that makes sense.

There are pros and cons to each. Granite can be inexpensive or expensive depending on the slab you choose and the company you chose. It also takes a lot to maintain (needs to be sealed at least once a year to prevent bacteria growth). Solid surface is a good affordable option though it does tend to look fake as it is technically a plastic material and you will have to be careful with heat. Quartz tends to be expensive but there is no maintenance involved. There is no risk of staining as it is non-porous and most of the colors mimic granite pretty well.