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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Still Kicking - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
By cbod - September 10 - 2:00 amBought this truck brand new. A/C has gone out twice. Freeze plugs went bad before 70,000 miles. Transmission is finally about to go. But overall, one of the best vehicles I have every bought.
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Good value - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
By E-Man - September 8 - 2:00 amI have two young daughters, 5 and 2, yet wanted a pickup. Bought the S-10 after a lot of research and shopping, comparing it favorably to the Tacoma (pricey) and F-150 (couldnt afford 4 doors plus 4WD). So far, so very good. Its a lot of fun to drive, handles exceptionally and was a tremendous value after the $4,000 rebate and other discounts. One suggestion: Buy a light color. I bought the dark, Indigo blue and, while I like it, it seems to scratch easily to a white undercoat. Otherwise, I bought a loaded pickup (all power, 4WD, cruise, CD, etc.) for less than $18,000, NOT including my trade. Until Ford makes a Ranger four door, I think its hard to beat.
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2nd s-10 crew - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
By kiddkat - September 6 - 2:00 amthis is my second s-10 crew cab 1st one being 2001, all around good truck plenty of power, also added torneau cover improves gas milage for me considerably. a good buy for the $$ good resale value. the 2003 ive had for about 3 weeks and its the same as the first even in color (pewter). great cd/cassette stereo. tows my 4 wheelers with ease you dont need a full size. i would by a third one in a heartbeat.
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s-10 review - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
By s-10 - September 5 - 2:00 amIts sweet dude. The handling is outstanding and its really smooth. I got the leather interior and it is so comfortable. I give it 5-*****.
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I love it!! - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
By wanted a truck - August 30 - 2:00 amI have always wanted a truck, bought it used. When I first bought it...I had problems with Air Bag Light, brakes, and stearing. The dealership stood behind everything (it was all fixed). Since then I have no problems with it
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Good truck. Bad transmission. - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
By Greg Robinson - August 23 - 2:00 amI have owned this truck since 1995. I bought it with 55,000 miles and it has been a good one except at 115000 miles first gear went out and I got the transmision rebuilt and in two months second gear went out under warrenty and cost me nothing. I think it was a factory defect in the transmision.
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I Love this Truck - 1990 Chevrolet S-10
By dlh298 - August 12 - 2:00 amI owned this vehicle for almost 10 years and put on about 180,000 miles during that time. The truck left me on the side of the road only twice in that time. and then only for easily fixed items (once was the water pump, and the other the alternator). Considering the time and mileage put into her the yearly maintenance cost was minimal because almost nothing ever broke.
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Its been a great little truck - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By Jimb - August 5 - 2:00 amDo regular maintenance and any vehicle will last. Well-powered with high-end V6 & manual trans, rides nicely, just enough cargo room (LS/Extended cab) and looks good (black w/silver trim). Bought in 98 with 46K miles, now has about 80K. W/Wiper recall was long overdue, but other than that its been a joy to own & drive (when my wife lets me).
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Pretty good...For a while - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
By Ruby Shaun - July 30 - 2:00 amPretty good truck for a while...Dont take 2wd 4 cyl offroading through anything...Itll completely kill it. Rust is bad, but it gets me from place to place. Trying to get rid of it now, lookin for somethin bigger and roomier. Prolly going towards Ford, I had a ranger for a while and liked that a lil better, not by much..Going full- size ford.
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Why buy this truck? - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
By Kenna - July 28 - 2:00 amAfter reading several sources, and actually driving several trucks, I chose the Chevrolet. Dodge Dakota was even worse on gas, and the Toyota was higher priced when similarly equipped. Being over 6 tall and needing to have some storage room in the cab, for save keeping travel bags, place for dog to ride when weather bad, and sometimes needing room for 4 people, this was the best truck.
