I have 1.6 Altis, same engine as far as 1.6 Automatic GLI is concerned. i had to decide between civic and corolla. At the end I bought Altis because of one reason and that is suspension, with the type of roads we have in Pakistan and specially when I drive up north civic or city cannot cop up with those pathetic excuse of roads.
When it comes to milage 1.6 GLI will give you around 11+ in city with AC, while one of my friend bought a city 1.3 automatic and he cannot go above 10+ in city drive.
So basically everyone told you the difference between the two, mostly it's suspension. when it comes to looks you will start to ignore them after a month as they will become standard to you this is how our brain works.
so decide on the roads you have to travel on daily. If those are smooth as silk go for city if they are bumpy go for corolla.