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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  FIRST TIME ZR2 OWNER - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By ZRTOWER - December 2 - 2:00 am

  THUS FAR THE VEHICLE HAS EXCEEDED ALL EXPECTATIONS I HAD BEFORE PURCHASE.THE VERSATILITY OF THIS VEHICLE IS UTTERLY AMAZING. THE FUEL MILEAGE IS A LITTLE HARSH FOR A MIDSIZE BUT THE TOURQUE OF THE ENGINE IS DEFFINATLEY NOT HIDING IN THE BUSHES ITS THERE AND PROUD

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  not a bad little truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By fireslayer79 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I got a great deal on an S-10, fully loaded. It runs great, love the sift on the fly 4 wheel drive and has plenty of cargo area.

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  A Good Little Guy Truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By PaFab - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had this truck for over a year now, and it still performs the way it did the day I drove it off the lot. The thing I like about it the best is there is also a Western Snow plow available for it.

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  2003 Crew Cab - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By wiznbyu - November 27 - 2:00 am

  So far this has been a good truck. I dont tow anything, but needed a 4X4 for hunting and winter. The four door is great for kids and I still have a small box for hauling whatever I need to move.

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  Good truck for what trucks are for - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By nccpastor - November 25 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this truck for the real- world...I dont haul massive amounts of steel, gravel, or tow competing makers up a hill. It is perfect for throwing boxes in the back, helping a neighbor move, getting a sofa to the church, or other real-life tasks. The 4WD has gotten me out of the Chicago snow several times. I love the 3rd door and extended cab area - you can fit a family of four in this truck. The gas mileage could be better (I get 16-18), but it is a truck. Solid. Reliable. Real-world.

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  very satisfied - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By jbdb134 - November 21 - 2:00 am

  The best little truck Ive ever owned. No major problems. Wish it had more hp for a 4 cyl. Lots of fun to drive.

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  Fair vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By erich1 - November 13 - 2:00 am

  For anyone looking for a light weight truck, this is the best. Packs a 2.2L 4-banger which has plenty of power for around the town and small trip driving. Fuel economy is good on highway (27mpg), bad in city (15mpg). Might just of been my truck, but the GM paint job was not at all to my liking. Many paint bubbles/imperfections found throughout the truck.

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  Great Little Truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By Joe Novakoff - November 11 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is excellent for every day use. With a Topper on the bed,it serves almost every need I have. I have a small gardening service and the ease of transporting Plants and bags of fertilizer and other supplies is made simple with the low entrance to the truck bed. is a great vehicle for every other shopping trip also. The excellent economy makes it ideal for city and thru-way drives. Economy, comfort cargo space makes it almost the perfect vehicle.

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  Im dissapointed ! - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ray Parker - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive always had problems with the side seat handles that allow the seat to be reclined. They have been replaced three times and still dont work. The passenger compartment is much too small. The cheap plastic that GM uses for the interior is awful. The transmission was overhauled at 40000 miles. But I had to complain for two years that it was continually slipping before they fixed it under the extended warranty. It worked fine for about a year but started slipping again. I took the S-10 in before the extended warranty had expired and had it checked. They did nothing. Now that my warranty has expired, they want $2000 to repair it. Brakes are weak.

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  ZR2 - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By zr2boy2001 - September 21 - 2:00 am

  This ZR2 S-10 is the only truck that i have never had any problmes