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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  Sporty S-10 - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By kherald - May 27 - 2:00 am

  First of all, my truck is the 4.3L, 4Spd automatic trans, ZQ8 suspension, locking diff (which isnt listed in drop-down style options). If you are planning on towing anything avoid the ZQ8 package because it isnt designed for towing. The engine gives me about 17-20 MPG which is as advertised.

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  Excellent Truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By bauerman - May 21 - 2:00 am

  I have the 4 cylinder engine coupled with a 5 speed transmission and could not be happier with the truck to date. Smooth shifting - good power - and great gas milegage so far. If you are thinking of the 4 cylinder engine - go for the 5 speed manual as well, its the best pairing of engine and transmission. Fit and finsh seem to be excellent - especially for a used truck with 65000 miles. No rattles to this point - takes bumps well and seem to be "screwed together" very tightly. Im getting about 28 MPG right now and am very happy with that. Hauls a load pretty well and sits low enough to the ground to make loading the bed easy.

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  Dissapointing - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By fjvwj - May 6 - 2:00 am

  My first brand spankin new car/truck. Treated it like a baby. After only 21000 miles, the car feels slugish, until you smash the gas pedal. Clicking noise from underneath the car. Seats are squeaking. Outside air comes into the cabin, whether you like it or not. Anti-lock brakes engage too easily. Because of that, I almost got into so many accidents. More of a liability than an asset. Chevy will have to do better than this to get me to buy another one of their cars.

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  Pleasantly Suprised - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By smartjt - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I was mainly looking at the "import" pickups before I bought mine. A friend of mine told me that the S10 with the 4.3 V6 / Auto was worth looking at since he had known a number of people who had many trouble-free miles with that drivetrain. After comparing Toyota, Nissan, and the S10, the Chevy offered the most value/features for the money. After a year and a half of ownership, I can honestly say that the S10 has far exceeded my expectations. It gets 23 mpg on the highway, plenty of power and comfort, and so far I have not had it back to the dealership for any problems. The guys in Shreveport LA built a nice truck.

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  S-10 2.2 liter engine LB - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By sssmmm - March 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the truck for nine years and last year I had to spend $1200 on head gasket. Windshield wipers work occaisonaly. Hauls loads fine, just wish the mechanical systems were up to the quality of Japanese automakers.

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  ZR2 - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By DGL24087 - March 3 - 2:00 am

  This is my second S10, the first was a 1989 regular cab 4x4. After 9 years and 199000 miles, I got out of the truck and owned a couple of cars. Now Ive come back to the S10. So far, I love it!!

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  Good small truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By mnicolella - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Great value - more options, better styling and durability than anything else at the price. Fairly sporty to drive with 4 cyl., 2wd, 5 spd., and it only weighs 2800 lbs. Ive parked it outside in the NE for 5 years and put on 70,000 miles, and the only problem is that the grille plastic is fading. Not a single mechanical problem, paint looks good with a yearly carnuba wax, and no rattles. The bed is galvanized. Im skeptical of the American cars quality, and Ive been happily surprised.

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  S-10 Nice Power, some rattles - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By Canadian Beaver - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Multitude of options & great price. LS ext cab. 4.3L V6 has plenty of power. Rear end breaks free in the rain/snow. Steering is slow. Gauges are excellent,bucket seats extremely comfortable (I am 61).Low maintenance features like (144,000 mile) radiator fluid, 100,000 mile spark plugs, etc. Others-sliding rear window, third door, automatic-on headlight sensors, centre console etc. The automatic transmission is very smooth. Horrible gas mileage. Sandbags/patio stones are a must for winter driving. Lots of value in this truck and a proven design.

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  Excellent first 90,000 miles - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By dbf1999 - February 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my S10 for 4 years now and have put over 90,000 miles on it. I needed a brake job ($190) at around 70,000 miles...and thats it! It has been very reliable. This truck is perfect for a teenager (I was 17 when I got mine) or someone buying their first vehicle.

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  Chevy Crew a good option - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By yellowdr - February 14 - 2:00 am

  After 16 months of ownership this truck has proven itself in bad weather. The 4 x 4 has been very handy both on and off road. Having been a foreign truck owner since 1986 I was a little unsure of the chevy product. Not anymore.