Some automatics, even in fairly basic cars like a Corolla, will downshift for engine braking when brakes are applied going downhill. Had an ‘07 and it was a good car. Not exciting in the least, but well made, quiet, never a single problem. The trans was well-mated to the engine. Not a speed demon by any stretch and flooring it for freeway merge unsettled the car, but in it’s “zone” it ran quietly, kept up with traffic, shifted smoothly. Probably the ideal commuter appliance if you’re looking primarily for economy and reliability.
Still, if you are experienced with reading engine sound and/or a tachometer (which comes standard on most of the Japanese cars), you can shift down even before the AT does.