Thank you for your input. I toyed with the idea of a petol Leon previously but I checked my facts and figures and worked out that it will cost me more yearly in the longrun than a diesel as long as I am hitting 60mpg average.
I have never actually been in a civic yet, but I didn't want keyless entry so I was lookong at the SR model as it has pretty much everything else that the EX plus has other than the keyless entry/start.
20k miles a year is a reasonable amount, roughly at the lower end (type of driving dependent) of the changeover from petrol to diesel (20 - 25k). If most of your mileage is on faster flowing roads and not lots of short and/or urban (slow speed) trips, which it appears to be by the mpg you're currently getting, then a diesel may be the way, but as SLO says, many modern diesels are NOT reliable, and you need to be certain that any you do buy are euro 6 compliant, in case towns and cities in your area follow London any time soon and ban cars that aren't Euro 4 (petrol) or 6 (diesel) compliant or better.
Note that you could get a newer petrol engined car (even with the current drop in diesel values) for your money and one that is more fun to drive and not that heavy on the old jungle juice - whilst the current Mazda 2.0 (non-turbo) engine can return about 45mpg on average, the 1.4TSI in the Leon, Golf and Octavia can easily match that and often can get 50+ average. The 140/150PS ACT version is essentially as fuel efficient due to its cylinder deactivation system but gets a 20/30PS boost in power so is even better than the still excellent 122PS version, just more expensive to buy. The Honda 1.8 petrol is quicker than the (de-rated) Mazda but can achieve the same mpg for the most part.
The Leon is great value, and if you value comfort, the SE version (122/140PS available) has more comfortable 16in wheels and tyres compared to the 17in and latterly 18in rims on the 140/150PS FR version. For comfort, the Mazda is far better on the 16in tyres on the SE and SE-L (incl. Nav variants) models, the latter being the best value for money.
In your situation, I'd either choose the Leon 1.4 SE or Civic (2012 - 17 version) SE Plus1.8 petrol or 1.6 diesel, though I'd get a thorough test drive done first as the Civic is by all accounts not to everyone's taste drive-wise (handling and ride quality) - some like it a lot, others can't stand it at all. If you value comfort, stick to cars shod on standard 16in tyres with at least 55 profile sidewalls.
To save you some cash over the longer term, the most popular (and thus the cheapest) 16in tyre is the 205/55 R16 V, coming in at about £55 - £75 each (fitted) for decent summer tyres. The Mazda uses a more unusual combo at 205/60 R16 and is about 20-30% more expensive with less quality options available. Not sure about the other two cars, though I wouldn't be surprised if the Leon did come on the 205/55 R16 - many VAGs have done. Essentially no difference in how they work though, just price and availability.
I suspect that the Honda will cost more to insure and service, but will last longer and need replacement parts. Worth also checking out the quality (find out about their reputation via reviews friends, family and colleages as possible) of the local main dealers, including the next local ones (including near your workplace that's within easy -ish reach), as the SEAT and Mazda dealers can vary from good to rubbish, whereas Hondas tend to be generally good, with only a few poorer ones. Find a good'un and it will save you a LOT of hassle and money.
Best of luck.
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