However, it was rated by the Japanese Ministry of Transport to have a fuel economy of 26.4 km/L (62.1 mi/gal) when running at a constant speed of 60 km/h (37.28 mph)[8] which was drastically better than most other cars of its class.

[9] It did not incorporate a limited-slip differential (LSD) or ventilated disc brakes in the front and rear of the higher-performing AE86.

The AE85 and AE86 was available in multiple body variations,[7] with the Levin and Trueno featuring fixed-headlights and retractable pop-up headlights respectively.

The Lissé and Lime were luxury variants of the XL and GL models respectively, marketed heavily towards women in Japan.

[8] They featured an automatic transmission (with the option for a factory manual) and power steering as standard, and had unique upholstery in the interior.

Privateer racing teams in Japan would take an AE85 and convert it to an AE86 since it is much cheaper by performing an engine swap.

Using modifications such as a bolt-on turbocharger or supercharger, racers can strengthen their vehicle while keeping the light weight of the AE85 body.

[13] In the Initial D anime and manga, side character and Takumi Fujiwara's friend, Itsuki Takeuchi, mistakenly purchases an AE85 Levin SR liftback thinking it was an AE86 Levin GT-APEX liftback, which led to him being initially ridiculed by his co-workers (except for Takumi) and several other street racers in the process.