C with classes is a very simplistic view of C++.

I for one can write C++ but I cannot write a single program in C. If the overlap was so vast, I would be able to write good C but I cannot.

I've done things with templates to express my ideas in C++ that I cannot do in other languages, and the behaviour of deterministic destructors is what sets it apart from C. It is comprehensible and readable to me.

I would argue that C++ is modern, since it is in use today. Perhaps your definition of "modern" is too narrow?