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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  Dependable Truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By David - January 22 - 11:25 am

  Have enjoyed this truck since purchasing. Ride is good for a truck, handles well, good gas mileage. Performs adequately on flat or rolling hills unless you are on an interstate. Do not get the 2.2L 4 cyl engine if you live in the mountains or hilly country. Also bad glare from instrument panel at night on back window. Would buy this truck again but with an engine upgrade. Never had one problem after leaving the dealership.

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  S-10 ZR5 - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By Chevy Queen - December 31 - 10:52 am

  Although the seat material is real bad its a nice riding truck and the ZR5 comes with a very nice design. The Colorado , to me, has absolutely no storage. You can at least put things behind the seat of the S-10, where the Colorado hasnt even got run for a long ice scraper

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  Last Chevy I buy . . . - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Tock - December 7 - 12:05 am

  Its a good idea for a truck, but 26 mpg isnt enough mileage for me. Beware of electrical problems . . . first thing that happens is in cold weather, it wont start unless you have more than 1/4 tank of gas. Then the lights start to flicker, and the brake lights go (had the brake lights fixed once, theyre out again). Good luck trying to find the cause once the warranty expires

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  Dependable truck - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By tbar - December 4 - 9:37 pm

  Bought truck with 63000 miles now has 126000 with no major problems. Plan on keeping it for a few more years. Gets 22 mpg highway which is a lot better than the new Vortec 4.3 Getting a little rust around the wheel wells, paint still shines like new. Shes been a real honey overall.

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  My 7th S-10.......Yes Im in a rutt..... - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By TonyinOlympia - November 27 - 3:21 am

  Poor excuse for a pickup bed, but the only thing you cant haul is a 2X4 (if you open the slider you can get a 12in if you hang on to it :). Great mid life kids/yardwork/misc projects vehicle. Gas mileage sucks, but no worse than anything else in this league. The residual power, auto headlights, and power everything are awesome. Chevy did a great job improving the brakes for 2002. This is a fair/cold weather vehicle, like all S-10s over the past few years, the heater seems to always be on. The A/C works VERY well, but it seems odd that you cannot force cool air out of the system when it is 40deg outside without turning on the A/C.

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  yeah S10! - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By jaydb28 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I have a 1995 S10 vin Z with 159000 miles. I love this truck. It flat out hauls (great for burnouts), and can carry a lot a weight for such small truck. So far had to replace brakes once, rear shocks, alternator, starter, and the catalytic converter, but that is to be expected with such high mileage. Cat-back exhaust and a superchip really improve the power of these things!

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  My truck and I - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Barry Steevens - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used with 6000 miles. My S- 10 is a good truck for about town and light work. Runs great on the highway. Rides like a little truck . Is best if one places 100 lbs. in the box. Seat is the weak spot. Not very comfortable. Back relly hurts after a 400 mile trip. Motor has this peculiar vibration and vibrates at the stop light while in drive. Chevy garage in has no idea what the cause is. Drove it that way for 60000.Runs smooth on the road. Does not do snow.Best to put 100-200 lbs in the box.Love the extended cab.

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  This truck is excellent - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Doug T. - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Many other reviews on this site rate this truck poorly, but look at their complaints, theyre completely ridiculous. These people are blaming general maintenance on poor mfg quality. If you use you vehicle hard, youre gonna have problems with it. I have a 96 s-10 that wasnt used heavily and was maintained properly and I havent had a single problem with it. Buy one with a v6 and you wont be disappointed, this thing can get up and move!

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  Nice ZR5 - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By Empty - September 11 - 2:00 am

  Great Truck that rides like a car. I dont like the seat material, hard to keep clean and hard to vacuum. Excellent on gas, true to ratings. Crew cab is excellent in 4X4, no extra weight needed.

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  S-10 Keeps on Trucking - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By GJCAILL - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I have had only minor repairs until recently.(front end work-lower ball joints,upper a-frame bushings,tierod ends,idler arm and center link. I had previously had only changed the ac compressor, spark plugs one time, water pump-leaking,belt,and idler pulley.The shocks have all been replaced