Following the makeover of sedan versions in March 1979, the Corolla van entered its fourth generation in August. It came in a 2- or 4-door body, and offered three model grades including Standard (1.3-liter), Deluxe, and GL. The maximum payload capacity with two passengers remained unchanged at 400 kg, though the payload capacity with five passengers increased from 200 kg to 250 kg. The rear suspension succeeded the rigid axle leaf spring system of its predecessor.

Initially, the available engines were 1.3-liter (4K-J) and 1.6-liter (12T-J) gasoline-powered units. A 4-speed manual transmission was standard, while the 4-door 1600 GL model offered a 3-speed automatic transmission as an option. In a minor model change in May 1982, the same rectangular headlamps used in sedan models were adopted, while the 1.6-liter gasoline engine was replaced with a 1.8-liter diesel (1C) unit. At the same time, the wagon model was added for the first time to the Corolla line. The wagon was equipped with a 1.3-liter gasoline engine (4K-U) and a 4-speed manual transmission, and offered DX and GL grade models.

After the sedan/coupé models were renovated in May 1983, the van underwent a minor model change in August, raising the roof by 45 mm and adding a 1.5-liter gasoline engine (5K-J) as an option. In August 1987, the existing front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vans and wagons were replaced by their front-engine, front-wheel-drive counterparts based on the sedan platform that had been renewed in May.