Hi, Kenny...
I doubt that Honda will hybridize the K24 - it already gets decent mileage (check out Xcel's brand new PZEV EX-L w/ Navi), and the margin just isn't there to justify putting IMA into a sub-$25K version of the Accord, IMO. If you're looking for mileage, ignore the EPA rating of 29/37 - there's plenty of HAH owners in the mileage db that are exceeding those figures, including me, on occasion.
As for Civic - you'll get pretty much everything you're asking for in the '06 - *except* for Navi / voice rec. You're just not going to see that in that carline - they have to save *something* for the Accord
On the '2 extra cylinders throwing gas away' - have you read about the Variable Cylinder Mgmt that Honda uses in the HAH ? You won't be running on 6 or even *4* most of the time, but on *3* How's that for efficiency ?
Features ? Pretty much everything you could want, when you get the EX trim (Hybrid comes with this, deleting the power sunroof, power pass. seat). The only amenity the Prius has that I can't get in the HAH and would want is Bluetooth (hey, Acura had to save *something* for the TL... ROFL)
Good luck in your search; whichever hybrid you settle on, we all benefit from the decision
