While this number was the same as the previous year, one change was made to the schedule, replacing Quebec with the Rally Codasur, marking the first WRC event to be held in South America.
A new driver's champion was crowned, with Fiat backed German driver Walter Röhrl taking the championship convincingly while simultaneously earning for Fiat its third and final manufacturer's title.
Fiat's position in the standings was challenged by both Datsun and Ford, but neither could overcome the Italian company's initial lead, settling instead for second and third, respectively.
1980 also saw Mercedes-Benz's best and final effort to compete for a WRC title, placing fourth overall.
For purposes of the championship, neither the Swedish or Finnish rallies were applied to the WRC for Manufacturers.