I'm looking at getting new siding on the front of my single story 1962 California range home. It currently has the original Masonite panel siding (similar look to T1-11) on the front and stucco on the front (the back is stucco). My wife likes the look of bevel or shiplap siding. I'm open minded at this point.

It seems like most folks recommend Hardie. Any thoughts?

In light of recent fires I recommend the cement/wood fiber siding for fire protection. I haven't sided a house in 15 years but believe HardiPlank is cement/wood fiber. You will need a special saw blade to cut it, wear a mask, and don't pick up in the middle when they are flat, They will break. I can't remember if special nails are needed or if blind nailing is adequate.

Hardie plank looks great and has a wide variety of colors. I am on the BOD of our community water system. We recently took down the cedar siding on one of our pump houses and replaced it with the Hardie plank. Looks great!

Cement / Fiberglass fiber siding comes in many styles from several companies. The Hardie brand is probably going to be a bit more expensive.

All of them are good products, and they are classified as a masonry material, so you may even get a break on insurance due to it's fire and water resistance.

Another great thing about it is that it shouldn't need painting for a very long time, and it's impervious to insect damage.

I resided my house with James Hardie fiber/cement lap siding. It is more expensive, but you will soon forget the cost.

Menards has been advertising engineered wood siding as a 50 year lifespan product that is easy to work with. Comrs prepainted if you want and it looks good to me, especially compared to vinyl.

MY house is done in James Hardi cement siding. Holds paint very good. Blind nailing is correct way to install. Overlap about an inch if I remember correctly. Comes primed or painted.
I trimmed all corners, windows, doors and eves with cedar. Leave a small gap between ends and caulk. Maybe a bit expensive but looks great and no painting every few years.
A fairly easy DIY project if you can drive a nail.