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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  Most Reliable Vehicle I Ever Owned - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By OregonDan - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I just read through a few of the S-10 reviews and thought I should add my 2 cents. Purchased the truck for $10K drove it over 100,000 miles and never had any problems except for a burned out fuse ($5) and I replaced myself... and Im NOT mechanically inclined. I sold the truck in 2001 for $5100 with 110K miles and regret not keeping it longer. Used it for commuting to college and hauling firewood. Great little truck. I may have gotten the 1 out of 1000... but sold the truck to a manager at Pepsi for his daughter and he informed me that Pepsi runs a fleet of lil S-10 trucks and all of them have passed 100K miles+ with little to none problems.

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  solid truck - 1990 Chevrolet S-10
  By rowedaddy - July 29 - 2:00 am

  so far this has been a great truck.only had to replace one thing and that was the fan belt.truck was specially order when new has all the options on it including a digital instrument panal and the optional 4.3l v-6 and 4 speed automatic. truck has all the power i will need in fact it has quicker 0- 60mph runs than the newest s10 pickups. my truck can hit 0-60 in 9.5 seconds versus 9.7 for a s10 vortec 4.3 kinda wierd huh.and it can also make quick work of a 4.6 expedition and a 92 ford explorer 4.0 trust me ive raced.

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  1996 S-10 - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By yoccke - July 23 - 2:00 am

  The quality of this vehicle is superb. I have had virtualy no trouble with this vehicle in the 8 years that I have owned it.

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  Great value for a used truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Thekid - July 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this S-10 with the 2.2L/5 Speed - yet otherwise its loaded even to having the premium CD player audio. The 4 Cyl is okay power-wise once you realize it comes alive up in the rev band when you need to accelerate. The A/C all but kills the poor engine however - but it does blow ice cubes. There is enough room for my 61" self - the bonus of the lower seating. For me, of course the seat is jammed fully back without the luxury of reclining - so I dont use those break-prone parts... of course my lumbar support is long gone. The seats are too hard. The wiper control issue is a major safety problem! Positives are great economy and solid body at 100K+

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  been great for me - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By mikal2 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck new. It fits my needs well. The truck has been back to the dealer twice for minor repairs, one muffler and one hyd.line. It averages 22mpg consistently, and will get 26+ in extended highway driving. I have used Amsoil since the first oil change,and have experienced no oil loss to note. I did have to replace the radio in 2002, when the cd player quit working. The lever for the drivers side seatback broke shortly after purchase, due to poor design, and inferior materials. Overall, I have been satisfied with it.

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  Buy it Again. - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By KAM - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Purchased 10 months ago, we have 15k miles on the truck with no issues. With the 4 cyl and 5 speed transmission plus a tonneau cover (highly recommend) this truck gets 28-30 mpg with A/C running, loaded bed and running 75-80 mph. I just changed from Valvoline to Mobile 1 0w30 and fuel economy went from 28 to 30 mpg. Note- to get performance from this engine shift at 4- 4500 rpms. Peak HP is at 5200 rpm. You have to drive it like a Honda not a V8 Chevy to get it to run. I did a lot of research, and talked to the mgr. of an Advance Auto Parts, they use the same truck with auto trans as parts runners. They run 100-150K abusive miles with no problems.

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  Great Truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By BDAD - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Great overall truck for the "budget" minded. Pulls my 18 foot boat like a dream. Would like to see a tail gate open light installed on future models. I droped my payload on the road not knowing my son opened up the tailgate.

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  135000 miles and still running good - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By kup - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Have had very few problems with this truck. Have 135000 miles on engine and it still is running good.

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  25k so far - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By Tb917 - June 20 - 2:00 am

  The truck is great Looking and turns heads. The ZR2 is a great factory off road package. It has the power, and the 4.3 runs strong. In my experience i am very disappointed in the gas mileage, the EPA estimates arent close to what i get. I can match the EPA driving like a grandmother (not exaggerating) but if you give the gas more than a touch watchs your fuel needle. Definatley not for a heavy foot, although it does have the power and "get up and go" for passing and when you need it. The torque is great and more than the new Colorado. The tires in later 2003 models were changed to crappy general ameritracs rather than the previous BFG ATs. GM cuts corners

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  Truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Darwinynigal - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Needs bigger tires