Can you get an automatic GR Corolla?
The quick answer is: No—Toyota’s GR Corolla is sold only with a six-speed manual transmission. There is no factory automatic version of this high-performance hatch in any market as of 2025. This article lays out what is available, why it’s manual-only, and what alternatives exist if you specifically want an automatic in a Corolla-sized package.
Overview: The GR Corolla is Toyota’s performance hatch built on the Corolla platform, pairing a turbocharged three-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive (GR-Four). Across the lineup—Core, Circuit Edition, and the Morizo Edition—the car is delivered exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The design emphasizes driver engagement and precise shifting, which Toyota has preserved as a core trait of this model.
Current transmission options
Before exploring alternatives, here are the GR Corolla’s factory transmission options by trim. Note that all trims use the same manual gearbox.
- GR Corolla Core
- GR Corolla Circuit Edition
- GR Corolla Morizo Edition
In all cases, the GR Corolla relies on a six-speed manual transmission with the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system. There is no official automatic variant offered by Toyota as of 2025.
Why Toyota kept it manual
Several factors underpin Toyota’s decision to keep the GR Corolla manual-only. Manufacturers emphasize driver engagement and precision for a car aimed at enthusiasts and track-focused performance. The manual gearbox pairs with the all-wheel-drive system to preserve weight distribution, shift feel, and throttle response that the GR program promotes. Additionally, keeping the transmission manual helps maintain a relatively focused power-to-weight ratio and avoids the added complexity and cost of integrating an automatic with the car’s tuned AWD setup.
- Driver engagement and purist performance ethos
- Weight and packaging considerations with the GR-Four system
- Product strategy aligning with the GR brand's driving-focused identity
- Cost and reliability considerations for a limited-run performance model
Bottom line: Toyota has not signaled plans to introduce an automatic GR Corolla, and the model remains purpose-built around a manual transmission for enthusiasts who value a hands-on driving experience.
Alternatives if you want an automatic in a Corolla-sized package
If an automatic transmission is a deal-breaker, there are paths you can consider that still keep you in the sphere of compact, performance-oriented cars. The following options provide automatic gearboxes while offering a similar footprint or driving character to the GR Corolla.
- Toyota GR86 or Subaru BRZ — both share a similar chassis ethos and are available with automatic transmissions, offering engaging driving dynamics in a compact, rear-wheel-drive package.
- Other automatic hot hatches/cars in the compact segment — examples include the Golf GTI and other rivals that provide automatic options, though they may differ in drivetrain layout (often front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive in limited cases).
- Broader performance options within Toyota’s lineup — vehicles like the Supra offer automatic transmissions, but they are not the same platform or drive layout as the GR Corolla.
Note: If your priority is automatic transmission with a similar level of performance, these alternatives can deliver a comparable driving experience, even though they may not share the same all-wheel-drive characteristics or exact engine setup as the GR Corolla.
Summary
At this time, you cannot buy a factory-automatic GR Corolla. Toyota intentionally designed the car as a manual-focused, driver-centric hot hatch with the GR-Four AWD system, and no automatic variant has been released or announced. If automatic shifting is essential, consider alternatives such as the GR86/BRZ pair or other automatic-equipped rivals in the compact/hot hatch segment. For many buyers, the manual GR Corolla remains a unique, pure-driver option in a crowded market.
