Yes, it feels wasteful compared to my previous driving, in specific circumstances. I drove a manual transmission and made it a goal to not touch the brakes at all for red lights (given acceptable traffic conditions - sometimes people would just be annoyed or confused if I did it every time). I'd see the light from far back, understand its timing, and how many cars were stopped behind it and gauge when I should disengage the clutch and coast. It frequently worked out that I was arriving at the stopped car in front of me just as they were starting to move forward. It feels particularly satisfying not to lose all your momentum just to have to accelerate again from a dead stop.

Overall, however, regenerative braking probably is better given the conditions don't always allow for this game.