I'm looking forward to test driving the 1.5T hatchback with a 6 speed manual. In fact, when I got wind of this new Civic I delayed my new car purchase. I was ready to pull the trigger on a VW Golf or Sportwagen 1.8 TSI 5MT, but now I'll wait until I can test drive both for comparison. Also in the running are the Ford Focus 3 cylinder (for fuel economy) and the Mazda3 2.0. I've read a lot of good things about the Mazda, but the one not so good thing (road noise) is probably a deal breaker. I go on several long road trips every year, and my biggest complaint about the Honda Fit Sport 5MT I've been driving since January 2007 is the road noise and 4000rpm @ 82mph interstate speed. The biggest reason the new Fit isn't in the running is the top gear on the 6MT has the same ratio as the old 5MT. Aside from that my Fit has been very reliable, economical, fun to drive, and the cargo capacity is incredible for such a small car. The Golf Sportwagen is in the running because nothing in this class comes close to its cargo capacity. At 180" long (max length for my spot in the garage) it's shorter than the Civic sedan. I'm waiting to see the length and cargo capacity of the Civic hatchback.