Hi smilertoo
I too changed from a MK1 to Mk2, and it's totally different, powerband is different especially going up hill. In the Jazz MK1, I could use 4th gear at 40mph to go up this long steep hill near where I work, but in the MK2 1.4 iVtec, I kept having to use 3rd gear and even that felt sluggish.
The Civic is a very good car, although the sloping windscreen means that you don't get the same height as you would in the Jazz, plus the Civic in the back feel less airy and light, unless you get the panoramic sunroof.
I personally swapped my Jazz MK2 manual after 6 months of getting it, just couldn't get used to engine, plus every couple of seconds the A/C would kick in and during night time, the headlight would flicker from bright to dim. At 70mph then engine is reving around 3500rpm which is quite noisy.
Luckily, I managed to swap it for a Jazz MK2 CVT facelifted post 2012 model, and have been happy ever since.
The engine feels just like the old I-Dsi, as the the CVT likes to keep it around the 2000-2500rpm mark when you put your foot down, which is where the Jazz MK1 i-dsi torque range was, plus when going up steep hill, I have the option of S mode which is even better, and puts a smile on my face. During motorway @ 70mph the engine is nice and quite, relaxing, purring around 2000-2500rpm.
Oh and like others have mention, when you put your foot down, it really goes like a train, albeit the cvt will make a racket, but once up to speed it quietens down again. I personally think that the Jazz CVT is the bridge between those that like the i-dsi lower torque range, but also want the iVtec extra horsepower.