You all are jealous of the EL style !
Dean, I already gave my vote on ClubEL I think, but if not, I like the 1.6 a lot more (it's what I have). Although, I don't know about comfort on long trips, gas mileage, or safety comparisons of the 2--which is what you wanted to know I believe.
This thread is not 6th vs 7th gen civics btw.
El front ends do fit on 6th gens. VIS sells a kit for the Japanese counterpart, the Honda Domani. You can also piece together a kit with EL parts. Both options are expensive.
Florida