I've driven mostly Honda my whole life. I love 'em. Steering feedback = awesome. I've had plenty of chance the drive my dad's old 1999 Toyota 160i. Engine is nice, and it's known for reliability, but the steering feels detached, and shifts feel a bit vague. After a week or so you get used to it though... at that time I had my old 1995 Honda, and except for the engine, nothing on the Toyota could impress me more than on that old Honda.
Today I drive a 2004 Honda Sedan, the model just before the current one. It's got a slightly smaller engine, but it's awesome. I test drove a 2005 Toyota RunX 160i before going for a test drive with a similar Honda to mine. I left underwhelmed. It ticks off all the boxes on the specifications, and has a good track record, but there was no wow :/
I got into a 2003 Honda with double the mileage, and I was hooked! Bought mine not long after.
Best part of my day? Driving to/from home
EDIT - Ah yes. Servicing Hondas could be slightly more expensive, but I don't have figures to support that theory

My 120K major service was something like R3500, which to me seems a bit steep.
Whatever you do, take it for a test drive first. You'd be amazed how different two 'similar' cars are. Even my grandmother's 2001 Toyota Corolla feels markedly different to my dad's 1999 model.
I haven't driven the new Civics yet, but other than rear visibility it was awesome. If I had my current salary when I bought the other one, I probably would've driven the newer model.