Suggestion:
Allow sensors to provide some intel on enemy ships.
In real life cargo ships look nothing like warships usually. And not just visually, but to all manner of sensors. All ships produce their own unique sonar signatures, and accurate hydrophones manned by well-trained sonar operators can tell them apart. Warships sound different than merchant ships. Experts can even tell ships of the same class apart. I spoke with one sonar-man who said that on a calm day, you could hear the internal PA system of nearby ships.
So my suggestion is to allow sensors to give us some information on what exactly a contact is. Thermal sensors should be able to tell whether an engine is a military or a commercial engine, maybe even what tech-level (I assume each engine type produces a different kind of exhaust). Active sensors should be able to see components that need to be at least partially external, like sensors, turrets, weapons, hangar bays, mining modules, sorium harvesters, construction modules, and cargo holds. EM sensors should not just warn you when an enemy active sensor is on, but also when a fire control is locked on, like a radar warning receiver in real life.
Obviously this intel should not be guaranteed. You should need strong sensors, possibly with additional tech.