The Civic is not filling any "hole" because YOU don't get to drive it.
I have to laugh at that "engineer" who put up a thread "I drive a big truck and I like efficiency".

Yeah, in my engineering world, using a 4000 lb device to move 200 lbs is not in any way, shape, or form, efficient.
OK, so maybe this psychological problem is insurmountable. Would a small truck still project a manly enough image? Cuz then 30 mpg is attainable.
Diesel Tempos are for real. You can read about them here on EM.