Does The Subaru BRZ Come In Automatic? | Auto Options By Yr

Yes, the BRZ is sold with an available 6-speed automatic on many trims, while some track-leaning editions stay manual-only.

The Subaru BRZ has always sat in a sweet spot: light, rear-wheel drive, balanced, and built around driver feel. A lot of buyers love the car’s shape and handling but don’t want a clutch in traffic. Others want paddles for commuting, then a manual mode for back roads. So the big question comes up again and again: can you get the BRZ with an automatic transmission?

You can, in many cases. The details depend on model year, trim, and special editions. This article breaks down where the automatic shows up, what it’s like to live with, and how to confirm what a specific car has before you sign anything.

What “Automatic” Means In A BRZ

On the BRZ, “automatic” does not mean a CVT. It’s a traditional 6-speed automatic with a manual mode and paddle shifters on many model years and trims. Subaru has tuned the transmission logic for spirited driving, with modes that hold gears longer, downshift on braking, and match revs on downshifts in certain settings.

If you’ve driven older automatics that felt sleepy, the BRZ’s setup can be a pleasant surprise. You still get a torque converter automatic, yet it’s calibrated to stay engaged when you ask for it. In day-to-day driving, it behaves like a normal automatic. When you switch to manual mode, it will let you choose gears within safe limits.

Does The Subaru BRZ Come In Automatic? Trim And Year Details

Yes. Subaru has offered the BRZ with two transmission choices for long stretches of the model run: a 6-speed manual as standard, and a 6-speed automatic as an option. The second-generation BRZ continued that pattern in many trims, and Subaru describes the automatic as a true option alongside the manual on core trims.

Where people get tripped up is the exceptions. Subaru sometimes builds a special edition with a single transmission. The more track-leaning variants are the usual suspects. That can affect both new-car ordering and used-car shopping, since listings are often wrong.

Second-Generation Notes That Matter

From the 2022 redesign onward, the automatic option stayed part of the lineup on core trims. Subaru’s newer materials also point to paddle shifters and downshift rev-matching on recent model-year pages, which helps confirm the factory intent on current cars.

Special Editions Can Change The Answer

If you’re shopping a tS or a limited-run Series model, read the fine print. Some trims are pitched around the 3-pedal setup, while other trims keep the automatic option on the order sheet. The trim name matters, and so does the exact model year.

Subaru BRZ Automatic Availability By Model Year

Use the table below as a fast “map.” It’s meant to answer two things at a glance: whether an automatic was offered, and what to double-check before you buy. For older cars, trim packages and option codes matter, so treat the notes column as your shopping checklist.

Model Year Range	Automatic Offered?	What To Watch For
2013	Yes, optional 6-speed automatic	Listings may call it “SportShift”; confirm on window sticker or VIN decode
2014–2016	Yes, optional 6-speed automatic	Check for paddle shifters and manual mode; some cars are base-trim manuals
2017–2020	Yes, optional 6-speed automatic	Performance packages vary; verify final drive and equipment on the sticker
2022	Yes, optional 6-speed automatic	Core trims offer both; factory materials note sport-focused shift behavior
2023–2024	Yes, optional 6-speed automatic	Dealer order sheets can differ by market; confirm trim and transmission together
2025	Depends on trim	Some trims lean manual-only; check the trim page and the Monroney label
2026	Yes, available on the lineup	Subaru continues to promote an available 6-speed automatic with paddles

How To Confirm A Specific BRZ Has The Automatic

If you only do one thing before buying, do this: confirm the transmission with a primary document, not the seller’s description. A single wrong listing can waste days of shopping, or leave you with a car that doesn’t match your plan.

Check The Window Sticker Or Build Sheet

For new cars, the Monroney window sticker spells out the transmission. For used cars, ask the seller for a photo of the original sticker or a dealer printout. If you’re buying from a dealer, request the VIN-based equipment report and read the transmission line yourself.

Use Visual Clues The Listing Can’t Fake

• No clutch pedal. The automatic has two pedals.
• PRND gate and manual mode. Look for a shift pattern that includes a manual +/- lane.
• Paddle shifters. Many automatic BRZs have paddles; not all photos show them clearly, so zoom in.

Match The Claim Against Subaru Material

When you’re buying new, Subaru’s own pages are the cleanest reference point for what each trim is meant to offer. If you want to cross-check Subaru’s wording on transmission choices, use the 2022 Subaru BRZ Press Kit and the model-year pages for the exact trim you’re shopping, like the 2026 BRZ features and the 2025 BRZ features.

If you want a single download you can keep on your phone while shopping, Subaru brochures can help you compare equipment and transmission notes in one place. The official PDF format also prints cleanly. 2022 BRZ brochure is one example of Subaru’s spec-and-feature style.

What The Automatic Feels Like On The Road

People ask two follow-ups right after they learn the automatic exists. One: is it still fun? Two: does it make the BRZ slower? The real-world answer depends on where you drive and what you value.

Daily Driving And Traffic

In commuter duty, the automatic is simple. Left foot relaxes. Hill starts become a non-issue. Stop-and-go stops feeling like leg day. If your BRZ is a daily driver and you deal with city congestion, this is the use case where the automatic makes the most sense.

Back Roads And Manual Mode

In manual mode, the automatic can stay in a chosen gear through a corner, then snap to the next gear with a paddle pull. You still need to plan a bit, since shift speed and throttle response are not the same as a dual-clutch system. Yet it can still feel sharp, especially when you drive the car like a momentum coupe and keep the engine in its sweet range.

Track Days And Heat

On track, automatics can run into heat management limits sooner than manuals, depending on driving style, ambient temps, and how long sessions run. If you plan regular lapping days, read owner reports, plan for extra cooling if needed, and treat fluid service as part of the plan, not an afterthought.

Should You Buy The Automatic Or The Manual?

This choice is less about “better” and more about fit. The manual is the purist pick. The automatic is the practical pick that still keeps the BRZ’s balance and steering feel.

How You’ll Use It	Automatic Makes Sense If…	Manual Makes Sense If…
Daily commuting	Traffic is a regular thing and you want easy starts and smooth crawling	Your commute is open-road and you enjoy shifting as part of the drive
Weekend back roads	You want paddles and consistent shifts without clutch work	You want full control over clutch bite, revs, and corner entry timing
Learning performance driving	You’d rather focus on lines, braking, and throttle first	You want to build heel-toe skills and clutch control early
Track days	You do short sessions and plan fluid care	You want the simplest setup for heat and consistency
Resale planning	Your buyer pool includes more commuters and newer drivers	You expect to sell to fans who shop manuals first

Buying Used: Common Listing Traps And How To Avoid Them

Used BRZ shopping is where the automatic question can get messy. A lot of listings are templated by software, and transmission fields get filled wrong. Some sellers also use “manual mode” language for an automatic, which can confuse first-time buyers.

Trap One: “Manual” Means Manual Mode

If a listing says “manual” and shows only two pedals in the cabin photos, treat it as an automatic until proven otherwise. Ask for a photo of the pedals and the shifter gate. It’s a quick save.

Trap Two: Special Editions Get Mixed Into Normal Trims

Some special editions are marketed harder than their spec sheets get read. A dealer may label a car as tS by mistake, or skip the edition name entirely. If you want the automatic, start by filtering listings for “automatic,” then confirm with photos and documents. If you want manual-only editions, do the reverse.

Trap Three: “Paddles” In Photos That Don’t Match The Car

Stock photos are common. If the steering wheel shot looks like a generic BRZ interior, ask for a fresh photo of the exact car’s wheel and pedals. A real photo also tells you how the car was treated.

Quick Questions People Ask In Showrooms

Does The Automatic Get Driver-Assist Tech More Often?

On some recent model years, Subaru has paired EyeSight availability more closely with automatic-equipped cars in certain markets. The clean way to confirm is to check the exact year-and-trim spec page you’re shopping and read the equipment list for that car.

Is The Automatic Still Rear-Wheel Drive?

Yes. The BRZ stays rear-wheel drive with either transmission, keeping the same basic layout that gives it its balance and steering feel.

Can You Add An Automatic Later?

A transmission swap is a major project. It can cost more than the price difference between buying the right car from the start. If you want an automatic BRZ, shop for one that left the factory that way.

Shopping Checklist Before You Buy

• Confirm the transmission on a window sticker, dealer VIN report, or clear pedal photo.
• Match the trim name to Subaru’s model-year feature page so special editions don’t surprise you.
• Drive both transmissions if you can. Ten minutes can settle the debate.
• Plan your use case. Commuting, spirited weekends, and track use push the choice in different directions.
• Budget for fluid service on any used performance car, then keep records from day one.

If your main goal is an easy daily sports coupe that still feels alive on a twisty road, the automatic BRZ fits that brief. If you want the classic 3-pedal connection, Subaru still builds the BRZ as a proper manual too. Either way, the smartest move is simple: verify the transmission on the exact car you’re buying, then choose the one that matches how you’ll drive it.