The biggest change for the 1983 Toyota Corolla was a new engine. The 1.6 liter four cylinder was more powerful than its 1.8 liter predecessor. The Corolla was due for a redesign the following year, and therefore little else changed on the car.

The 1983 Toyota Corolla came in many body styles with several trim levels. The two- and four-door sedan came as a standard, DX or E5. The hardtop coupe came as a standard or SR5, and the sports coupe came as a SR5. The wagon came as a standard or DX. The liftback came as a standard and SR5. The 1983 Toyota Corolla had a 75-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine.

Some drivers complain that rust can be a problem and that the cars are very slow to accelerate, meaning that drivers should use extra caution when on a freeway entrance ramp.