Toyota Believes Most Will Opt for the Manual GR Corolla Over the New Direct Automatic Transmission

by Chris Teague

Published: October 17th, 2024

toyota believes most will opt for the manual gr corolla over the new direct automatic

In January of this year, I was lucky enough to get ahold of a 2024 Toyota GR Corolla Premium. Between being fortunate enough to have test vehicles and the fact that I can walk my kids to school, I don’t get to drive it anywhere near as much as I’d like, but when I do, I am excited every time to engage with the excellent manual transmission. Toyota recently told CarBuzz that it believes most customers feel the same way, saying that it expects the upcoming direct automatic transmission option in 2025 to be less popular than the six-speed manual.

The 2025 model year will be the GR Corolla’s first with an automatic transmission, a $2,000 option for all trim levels. That number adds to the car’s already expensive price tag, which could be a deciding factor for many to choose the manual.

Toyota added a few other improvements for 2025, including an optional sub radiator, more torque, and a new Premium Plus trim to replace the outgoing Circuit Edition. Cars with the automatic transmission pick up a launch control feature, while the manual cars have Toyota’s iMT manual transmission that offers automatic rev-matching and other tech.

While the automatic transmission may help broaden the car’s appeal, it’s encouraging to see so many people excited about the manual. There are so few row-your-own options left on sale, making the remaining options rare and compelling purchases.

[Images: Toyota]

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Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

More by Chris Teague

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4 of 12 comments

Fred 9 hours ago
I have no need for a hot rod. I am interested in the Corrola Hatchback what use to come with a manual, but they are difficult to find for a test drive, not to mention expensive. I understand they come from Japan, which means it's now or never if big daddy gets elected.

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- Add Lightness 2 hours ago
  I stopped buying any car made in Japan when I learned Japan Just launched a new $46m WHALING SHIP.
  
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Jalop1991 3 hours ago
ah, the old "engaging!" trope. Isn't it funny how "I have to shift my own gears, it's so engaging" disappears the moment EVs come into play.

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- Add Lightness 2 hours ago
  I do miss the 3rd pedal when driving in non-electric mode but around here, I just zone out in traffic (which is most of the time). The golden days of motoring are long gone 99% of the time. I have to use the 3rd pedal description as many people think the video game shifters are like a manual tranny.
  
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