The Acura 1.7 EL is a Civic derivative, and made and sold only in Canada. I drive one myself! On paper, it resembles the Civic EX in the U.S. However, up here in Canada, we don't get a Civic EX sedan (only DX and LX sedans), so we can't buy a 4 door Civic with VTEC or a moonroof. So instead, we have the EL, which has the 1.7L VTEC engine as well as a moonroof (for the Premium model). But the EL also has heated leather seats (Premium model) and 4 wheel disc brakes. I also think it looks nicer!
Check out the Acura Canada website for the specs:
http://english.acuracanada.ca/models/el.asp
For a good review of the car and some more pictures of it:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/01acura_el.htm