@minex
To tell you the truth I have not yet calculated the mileage as I also have a Vitz and most of the times I am driving that. But a rough idea will be like 12 or 13 Km/L in city traffic of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Regarding the transmission its CVT (Continously Variable Transmission). CVT can change the gear ratios to any arbitrary setting within the limits. CVT is not limited to small no of gear ratios like 4 or 5. It actually does not involve gears rather you can say that the gears are virtual. Its not like a conventional gear box involving gears. If you like more information you can search on the innternet. Benefits of CVT include very smooth ride without jerks during gear changes, better fuel efficiency, low emmisions etc. 7 speed steermatic just gives you to control the CVT as you like it. e.g. you can increase the rpm to the red lines while in low gears. This helps a lot in instances like overtaking and steep hill climbing etc. The idea is to give the driver more flexibility. This functions comes in cars like Alfa Romeo, BMW etc.
As far as pickup is concerned its max output is stated as 81KW@5800 RPM0ps. Surely Toyota Altis has more power output 100Kw@6000 RPM so the pickup of Altis will be greater. Secondly City 1.5 has an intake Vtec so it will give more power in mid to high end rpm ranges. Low end torque will be lower.
Breaks should have been better but as it is assembeled in Pakistan so you can understand that Pakistani Automobile companies tend to be miser on these issues. I can guess by leaving out good brakes with ABS etc. Atlas is making hige profits because they are mass producing the cars. In my opinion this kind of behavious is criminal but we as end users have very limited or no rights in the country. Having said I think that the breaks are much better than e.g. Xli or Baleno...
I chose the car because I wanted to buy a Honda Car. I am not personally very staisfied with other local cars quality. Although I am also a big fan of Toyota's technology and cars thats why I am driving a Vitz:) In honda I did not wanted to go for Civic because I think that it will be discontinued maybe by the end of this year. Thats why I went ahead for City which is atleast 2006 model and in city IDSI was a bit underpowered for me and Vtec 1.5 Steermatic had new options like Steermatic, Optitron Display, Bridgestone Tyres, rims etc...
I hope I answered most of your questions.
Cheers! and happy car hunting