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:

• 

  2000 ZR2 crumbling away - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By MrGNMan - January 2 - 11:05 am

  Purchased new and maintained religiously by dealer and me. All highway mileage with 75000 on original tires. Got brakes had to replace all 4 rotors? Couldnt even cut them once! Dealer replaced intake gasket with a better design from GM. I have to pay! Transmission had corroded sensors and actuaters $1000 just for parts! Last 6 months $3200. in repairs which should not have been necessary! Had an 89 S10 4x4 that had 275k on it and still was running strong when I sold it for a newer, "better" truck. Im sure that truck is still going strong. The dealer wants to sell me another truck as a solution! Not!

• 

  Could Be Better - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By PA guy - December 28 - 11:39 am

  Fast, enjoyable vehicle. Well maintained vehicle when I purchased with 95,000 miles. No rust. Great work truck!

• 

  Love this truck! - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By Budget Tuners - December 27 - 1:12 am

  This is a truck I have wanted for a while now and I finally got it back in Aug of 06. I got a 99 with the 2.2 5speed and I love it. I put an intake and exhaust. Sounds great, runs great. Power for the mods I have on it arent bad. Looking to get more out of it soon but all and all a great truck to customize. A lot of parts that change out and soon Im going to lower it a bit and put rims and tires on it. Love this truck. Best truck I have had

• 

  My Truck - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By GLENN - December 19 - 12:37 pm

  ZQ8 is like having a sports car that you canalso pick up lumber at Home Depot with.

• 

  ZR2 in Colorado - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By xeriminox - December 17 - 2:24 pm

  I have not experienced any problems with my 2001 ZR2 in its 57K miles. I love the way it looks and how well it handles in the snow. It is agile enough for city driving yet well prepared for off-road activities. The push button four-wheel drive is a great feature. Originally, I had my mind set on the Tacoma but was not pleased with the antiquated interior and bouncy ride. After considering the Tacoma, Frontier and Dakota I was most impressed with the comfort and convenience of the Chevy. This is my first domestic vehicle but certainly will not be the last!

• 

  Its an OK truck - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By vnllgrll - November 9 - 9:48 pm

  Its not a bad truc,k but its not a great truck. I have had to put around $2000 into it in the almost 2 years that I have had it. All I can say it thank God for the extended service plan.

• 

  Good little truck - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Big D - October 24 - 10:20 pm

  I love my truck. Very reliable and cheap transportation for me for the last 12 years. I have had a few problems, but most were covered under warranty during the first 36,000 miles. Since then, I replaced the alternator, battery, U bolts, and that is it. The truck burns no oil, runs like a dream, and is very quick. It rides a little rough. It is easy to park and easy to see out of this vehicle. Oh yeah, one more thing, the radio volume knob fell off one day. Funny thing was I was driving down the road, passed a guy with the exact same truck, looked through his window and noticed that his volume button fell off too!

• 

  Good Little Truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Truck Driver - October 22 - 3:51 pm

  I bought this new w/ 2.2L 4 cyl engine. Engine has enough power to get you around and pull a 1-ton trailer fully loaded. I get 21mpg driving 20 min to work, each way, in mixed county/city driving. 3rd door rattle and both seat levers were fixed under warranty. No ignition wiring issues so far, 8+ years and 91K miles. Oil pan leaked couple of drops when left parked for 5 days -that is how I found out. Chevy split cost of repair eventhough it was out of warranty. Windshield wipers, sometimes, take longer than normal to change speed after stalk position has been changed, annoying. Since problems were fixed to my satisfaction I bought another Chevy (03 Avalanche) and been very happy with that.

• 

  Just what I expected - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By tator - October 16 - 11:52 am

  I havent had the problems other S-10 owners claim to have had. Other than a leaky valve cover gasket and a warped brake rotor ( both repaired under warranty, even though my warranty was expired when I had the leaking gasket) Ive had no problems. I like the trucks gas mileage, as I average about 26 MPG. Overall Im happy with my truck. It is exactly what I expected.

• 

  2003 ZR2 - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By bdock17 - October 15 - 5:25 pm

  The ZR2 package has got to be the best available option yet on the S10. The heavier drive train, suspension, lift kit, and bigger tires has got to make one of the best stock off road trucks with the best bang for the buck