Had a quick look at a Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi SE, but it was only a quick glimpse as I didn't have time. No idea what mpg that would return until I do my research.
Sorry to hear about your wife Jocko, hope things get better soon.
The Civic is a nice car but very low to get in and out of, believe me the Jazz is much better in that respect. Getting in and out of Civic rear seats it is easy to hit your head on door frame, Civic feels about a foot wider in the rear seats and has fold down centre armrest -overall a much more comfortable car and much better performance, can't comment on diesel mpg though, ours is a petrol. One thing is that on diesel engine the oil filter is on top of engine, so no need at all to get under car if you suck oil out.
Steering in Civic is much more direct, you hardly have to turn steering wheel, catches me out when I drive her indoors Jazz and don't turn wheel enough, downside is that Civic harder to park ( bigger turning circle than jazz and bulky rear restricts rear visibility, I had to fit parking sensors to Civic, first time I have felt I needed them on a car. That rear spoiler actually works well to keep following headlights out of interior mirror, only 4x4 lights shine through above it.
Can't get full size spare wheel in though, wheel well is deep enough and long and wide enough to take wheel, but because of the way floor pan overhangs front of the well you have try to get wheel in on an angle, and it won't go, maybe if you loose air out of tyre out could bash it in....
From talking to people who have owned 2.2cdti they can use oil, will come as a shock after Jazz to have to top it up, my 1.8vtec Civic uses no oil at all.