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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  Past Chevy Lover But No More - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Terry - April 11 - 12:59 pm

  First let me state of letting everyone know my heart and soul is Chevrolet but I will never buy any more Chevys. I have had a lot probles with the truck brakes, rear end, and now the one that takes the cake is the drive line a double cardan joint that no drive line shop will give you any kind of repair warranty it and the reason there giving is its an engineering problem. But in short I was going to buy a Camaro when it came out but I keep my money in my pocket

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  Like A Crock - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Randy - April 7 - 8:40 am

  I have sincerely tried to convince myself to stay with American made vehicles. Sorry Chevy, you are the best thing that has happened to Toyota trucks. Im done. Before I hit 100k I have gone thru 2 gm fuel pumps, 3 sets of wheel bearings, oil cooling lines, heater core, u-joints at 45k, 2 handles for the 3rd door, seat recliner handles snapped off, headlight mounting assembly cracked, countless rotors, 3 times stranded and towed. Handle for rear slider window broke. Tailgate rusting last year. Interior fit and finish sucks-evrything makes noise. Tranny whine at 90k. 4 wheel drive has been reliable and works flawlessly. Motor is powerful.

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  Good ol truck, but still helps - 1990 Chevrolet S-10
  By toyoracing2008 - March 30 - 6:18 pm

  Good truck. Its been dependable as can be for it being almost 17 years old. But, compared to other vehicles of different brands, the metal used for the body was very poor, the bed panel rusted out and now theres a gaping hole, the bottom of the doors have rusted, as has the left door jams. I love the truck, but I still think chevy could have done better even with the new S10s, I mean, come on, it has only .3 liters less than Fords 4.6 V8, and yet only around 200 horses? I love my truck, enough said..

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  Great buy - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By darko789 - March 18 - 7:15 am

  I have put 120000 miles on since I bought it. Has yet to let me down. 4.3 has all the power I will ever need. Gets decent mpgs. It has been a great truck for me.

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  Good truck but not a Toyota - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By FAIRLY GOOD TRUCK - March 4 - 11:14 pm

  Originally bought the truck with 60K. It has been used to carry construction tools including a generator and compressors for the next 40K. The truck is a turtle when empty and a slug fully loaded! Power is pathetic, but gas mileage is good. I have not had no major problems other than the typical fuel pump go out (90k)$300 pop and the inconveniance of having to remove the bed to do so. Shock of course and an anoying oil leak from the rear main seal. Clutch has never been replaced and still strong (I only use it on firt gear). Oh yes the door bushings are junk! replaced at $15 and oil montly, the door spring is a pain to replace. No other major problems. I guess I have been lucky!

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  Not so bad - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By alfred - February 19 - 12:05 pm

  Hello friends, I am the owner of a 2002 3 door 4 cyl s-10 with 85000 miles. I bought it new, downsizing from a 8cyl Silverado. This is not a powerful truck. it is meant for light use. It literally has trouble going uphill. Ive had to replace the battery, radiator and the a/c died at 75k miles and I have not fix it yet. I think that I have gotten good service from it, I am happy with it so far. I am getting 20 mpg plus. Anyway, I recommend this truck if you are not pulling or loading it with heavy items. Good luck!

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  looks good but falls apart - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By johnson - January 26 - 3:17 pm

  it started out great and offroad capability is great... started to fall apart about a month after having it. had about 7000 dollars in repairs including a new engine, rear end, seals, bearings, water pump, alternator, cooler lines, oil pump lines, O2 sensor, and had a bad moisture problem that leaked water into the passenger floor mats... had lots of problems with the third door... vacuum pump went out twice.. would never get one again and couldnt wait to get rid of it!

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  Leave well enough alone! - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By mixerman1972 - January 26 - 7:29 am

  I love my S10. It has never given me any mechanical problems except sensors and the fuel pump, but being 14 yrs old and having 178000 miles, I think that is excellent! There is very little rust and I live in the north east. The mileage is at best 16mpg on the road, around town its about 12mpg. This truck has only left me stranded once, that is when the fuel pump went. The truck is fantastic in the mud and has a very comfortable ride

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  Good to go - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By joe1968 - December 23 - 1:34 am

  In five years the only maintenance I have had to do is front brakes, oil changes, new tires and battery and one rear light bulb. An amazing bargain. It is a four cylinder 5 speed. I used it in my sons restoration business. We have beat the hell out of this truck and it just keeps going.

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  I love this truck! - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By racinmason - November 30 - 12:17 am

  This was my first vehicle I bought myself in April of 2001. I still have it, still drive it and still love it. Over the years this truck has been very reliable and the quality is great. The only problem I have with it is the 2.2L 4cylinder engine. bad idea on GMs part, engine is way too small for this truck and eats gas like crazy and extremely underpowered, 4:10 gears dont help fuel consumption either, 21mpg at best and thats driving it easy.