I'm currently driving a 2007 Honda Fit Sport 5MT. It's been reliable, economical, very practical (this little car has tremendous cargo capacity with the "magic seats") and fun to drive. My chief gripes are wind/road noise at interstate speeds and short gearing -- 4000RPM @ 82MPH. After 112k miles, I'm ready to replace it.
I go on several long road trips every year. I want a vehicle with the same positive attributes of the Fit, but more refined and quiet with better tech & sound system. The new Fit doesn't quite make the grade. The 6 speed manual on the HR-V has gotten negative reviews, and fuel economy falls short. I would actually like a vehicle with slightly higher ground clearance and AWD for Chicago winters and the rough forest service roads I sometimes drive on to reach trailheads, but I never got stuck with my Fit and the other attributes I noted are more important to me.
I'd strongly consider the the Mazda 3 if it didn't have road noise issues. I haven't ruled out the Ford Focus. The VW Golf (or Sportwagen) was at the top of my list until this new Civic came along. I haven't test driven anything yet. The first new car I ever bought was an '86 Golf, and I'm sure I'd really like the new one but VW reliability doesn't come close to Honda and the Civic has it beat in fuel economy by 5MPG.
I'm hoping the new Civic is real hatchback that maximizes cargo capacity rather than emphasizing style as a liftback. If the latter, I just might go with the Sportwagen. Nothing else in the category can haul as much gear.