Overview & Reviews

Introduced as a response to the success of Japanese pickups at the start of the 1980s, the Chevrolet S-10 quickly became a prime competitor in the compact pickup truck segment. Affordable and highly configurable, it was an everyman's truck, meeting the needs of anyone who didn't need the towing and payload capacities of a full-size pickup.

During the S-10's 23-year lifespan, there were two generations. Most used-vehicle shoppers will be looking at the second generation. Alas, we were never particularly impressed with this S-10, finding it to be inferior to competing small trucks from Dodge, Ford, Nissan and Toyota.

Most Recent Chevrolet S-10

The second-generation Chevrolet S-10 was produced from 1994-2004. It was offered in regular, extended and (later on) crew cab bodies with short and long beds. The Sportside bed arrived in 1996 along with the optional three-door access cab. The ZR2 package was available on regular-cab short-bed models (it was available with the extended cab in 1995), as was an SS package that included a high-output V6, sport suspension and alloy wheels.

The boulder-crawling ZR2 package added some machismo to the S-10 that the regular and LS versions lacked. ZR2 S-10s featured larger off-road tires, tougher suspension components and standard four-wheel drive.

The S-10 extended cab model was offered with a third-door access panel on the driver side that aided loading cargo, pets or an unfortunate passenger into the rear compartment with its fold-down jump seat. This third door tended to rattle on broken pavement, though.

The 1994-'97 S-10 featured a standard 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine on rear-wheel-drive models that made 118 horsepower. Optional with 2WD and standard with 4WD was a 165-hp 4.3-liter V6. The high-output V6 put out 195 hp. These V6s were upgraded in 1996 to provide more horsepower and torque. Transmission choices included a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.

Safety was never a point worthy of applause for the Chevrolet S-10, and the early years of this generation were light on safety equipment. Rear antilock brakes were standard, but four-wheel ABS was optional on four-cylinder models and standard with the V6. (All S-10s had four-wheel ABS after 1996.) A driver airbag became available in 1995, but there was no passenger protection until the 1998 update. For this reason, and the shabby interior, we'd steer clear of these early second-generation S-10s.

This S-10 underwent a midlife freshening for '98 that saw more aggressive front styling and an improved interior with dual airbags. The S-10 Xtreme that debuted in 1999 was the street-oriented counterpart to the ZR2. It was offered only in rear-wheel drive with a 2-inch-lower ride height. It also added a body-color grille and bumpers, full ground effects with wheel flares, the sport suspension and 16-inch aluminum wheels. The only other major change for this S-10's run was 2001's new four-door crew cab model with five-passenger capacity.

The Chevy S-10 was loaded with value and versatility for the compact pickup truck buyer, but we were never thrilled with it. The revised interior featured good ergonomics, but the materials were low rent, and the driver sat low, facing a tall steering wheel and dash. The S-10's tendency to squeak and rattle didn't provide the feeling of brawny quality we'd like from a pickup. Nor did lousy crash test scores provide the feeling of invincibility one expects from a pickup. In a comparison test we conducted for 2001, the S-10 finished fifth out of five trucks. Production soldiered on until 2004, at which point Chevy replaced the S-10 with the all-new Colorado.

Previous Chevrolet S-10 Models

The original Chevy S-10 was built from 1982-'93. This S-10 was also available in extended and regular cab styles, with the latter available in two wheelbases. It, too, was available with four- and six-cylinder engines, although the 2.5-liter four-banger made only 105 horsepower.

User Reviews:

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  Best truck ever - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By Terry - February 10 - 12:09 pm

  We bought this truck new. Very few problems never has left me stranded. I have beaten this truck mercilessly, hauled more then I should and pulled way too much. Its been a rock. Never leaves me stranded. Its all original and is my daily driver today. I will never buy another daily driver and it will not be given to anyone else. I will probably be buried in it when I die. 221,000 miles, no engine work, one clutch and oil changes. Thats it. I have had several s10s because of this one. Met my girlfriend in it, married her with it and will die with both of them.

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  In my opinion! - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By 1bad+s-10! - February 8 - 7:44 pm

  I dont know what most people think of the S-10 but I wouldnt trade mine for anything. I love this truck, dont get me wrong they do have some minor problems like, lack of room, the seats are a bit uncomfortable, and its not to smooth of a ride either but the looks are incredible. The 4.3 vortec that came in mine can hold its own against any stock v8 I have encountered but a Chevy 350 swap is amazing in this small truck.

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  Like a rock - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Greg - February 7 - 8:12 pm

  I have owned this truck for about a year now. I love almost everything about it. The 4.3L has plenty of power compared to my earlier 87 s-10 with the 2.8L. This truck has almost 400k and does not owe me a thing. The one thing I would change is more durable cloth on seats especially on driver side. Recommend the S-10 to anyone so far best built compared to ford and dodge.

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  1997 S10 2dr LS Regular Cab - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Mawarikomi - February 6 - 4:53 pm

  I bought my truck used from a dealer at 44k miles and took it only to 120k before I had enough. Quality was atrocious - interior panels cracked and fell off, mirrors fatigued and broke off. The truck would not start in humid (90%+), cold weather (especially 32-45F), really cold weather was fine. I got a head gasket leak at 80k and had to repair the tranny at about 110k (both those seem normal for the driving I did so not really a gripe). My brake lines blew out despite having been regularly inspected. Heres a positive note, the engine was awesome despite the head gasket and tranny. If the rest of the truck could have kept up with the engine the truck would have been a keeper.

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  Tough little truck - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By S10man - February 4 - 9:31 pm

  This truck was given to me by grandfather after he died and it has been very reliable. I have just turned 16 and Ive been rough with this truck and it still holds up. The 4.3 V6 was the best V6 ever made. Actually it is a 350 block with two cylinders chopped off. It has the same size pistons and everything. It has a lot of power and will still lay you back in your seat with over 106,000 miles on it. The only thing Ive ever had to do to it was change the oil and I put a K&N lifetime air filter in it. The only thing that has gone wrong with it is the compressor had a leak that I fixed easily. Other than that it has been great.

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  Worst Vehicle ever - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Keith - February 2 - 5:14 pm

  This vehicle has been my worst nightmare! Has had over ten thousand dollars worth of repairs. Repairs had started at twenty thousand miles and has not stopped. Something is always breaking down. I have lost all faith in the big three. With this economy my money needs to go further just like everyone else. I am going with Toyota. Reliability/quality is a must, which the big three cant provide.

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  Last Chevy S10 - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By mbcinos - January 26 - 8:08 pm

  Junk, junk, and more junk from the GM people. I owned an older S10 (1985) and put 169,000 miles on it. This one has been one nightmare after another. I used to be a GM mechanic, so I saved myself a lot of repair bills. But fuel pump,O2 sensors, map sensor, two coils, various distributor caps, they say napa has the best one, Im going to try it next. K&N filter helps on gas mileage just as long as you dont spray much oil on it. Intake gaskets leaked antifreeze out instead of in ,so it didnt blow motor, lucky! The check engine light is almost always on and I cant get my brake lights to go out, which by the way is a common problem usualy caused by the master switch.

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  Missing the little trucks - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Eric - January 10 - 8:55 pm

  Ive owned my S10 for quite a few years and have moved things that most full-sized trucks couldnt. With the zr2 package I had the advantage of a large truck in a small build and it has never let me down, but as I grow older I realize I need a larger truck. A shame to loose ( almost a family member) it.

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  Oh Yes - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By Aaron - January 4 - 5:28 pm

  I bought this S-10 thinking it was old and a pretty cruddy truck. I looked at the odometer and it only had 40,196 original miles on it. I love this truck. It has no rust, no scratches, and no dents or dings. It was taken care of. I continue to do the same. It has alloy rims and a 5 speed manual transmission. I have the 2.2L straight 4 engine in the truck. I have made some upgrades to the engine and boosted the horsepower tremendesly.

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  Good truck, but bad mechanically - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By 10tca01 - December 28 - 9:20 pm

  My S-10 is my first vehicle ever owned. I was very excited to get it, on accounts of I had heard S-10s were great. I bought it used with 39,000 miles on it, and yes, it was a 98. The first month I had it, the transmission went out. 39,000 miles! I was very frustrated, it was an expensive repair. Hoping it would be the last thing, I went on. But its just been one thing after another. The trans, the A/C, the water pump, and the shocks. I should have gotten rid of it after the trans, but kept it because I liked it. The truck looks great though, good design inside and out, and very little cosmetic problems. Good chassis and ride. I would buy another S-10, even with the problems I had.