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:

• 

  91 s10 2.8 litre - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By EL - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive only put 6000 miles on it so far however not a single problem yet, and Ive made 3 750 mile road trips back home included in those miles! I hear alot of bad PR about this Chevy 2.8 V6: sure theres not alot of pickup and mediocre power but it sure runs smooth and reliably so far. I had a camaro with the same engine no probs there either.

• 

  My Xtreme - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Knowklew - November 5 - 2:00 am

  My Xtreme has been a very fun truck to drive and has a big opening for aftermarket add-ons which i dropped plenty of money into. The ride in my truck is comfortable if you like the sporty bumpy pick up truck style but i didnt buy my Xtreme for the purpose of comfort. The handling on my truck, along with the new tires i installed, allows me to keep up with a lot of more expensive sports cars that. The one downside of my truck is the fuel economy, it sucks literally. I did opt for the V6 and the automatic in my truck and i must say that with a few bolt-ons my truck is a rocket.

• 

  Good solid truck - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ritch - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I have had no problems with my truck, the power is great, the gas mileage is okay, never have had to do anything to my truck except maintenance...I would highly recommend a S-10 to anyone...

• 

  Content - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By emac - October 28 - 2:00 am

  A good compromise in power and economy for anyone who spends a lot of time behind the wheel but still has a frequent need for a truck. With the optional 4.3L V6 the power is there to carry or tow most most things. Not a substitute for full size trucks in that department. Reliability has been a plus as has been my experience with other S-10s Ive owned.

• 

  2002 S-10 crew cab - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By gph - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Its all the truck I need and has the the ability to be a car when I need it.

• 

  Lots of Fun packed into a Small Package - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Brocnizer - October 8 - 2:00 am

  She maybe small, but dont let the looks deceive you. I put around 25,000 miles a year on this truck with current mileage of 127,000 and it has yet to see the shop. Dont think that I baby it either. She pulls a 6,000 pound boat atleast once per week and deals with stop and go traffic every week day. The Vortec V-6 is the absolute perfect match, suprising all those that drive it and watch it work. I usually get a comment at the boat ramp from someone telling me that my truck wont be able pull the boat up the steep launch ramp, and boy are they supprised when they see it come out without any wheel spin.

• 

  CHEVY S10 - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By JOHN TORRES - September 13 - 2:00 am

  THIS TRUCK IS TO SMALL AND SHOULD ONLY BE FOR SMALL PEOPLE

• 

  Low Price for Excellent Quality - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By squire46 - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Chevrolet made an excellent small truck in 1997. The mechanical and structural aspects have stood the test of time. The engine and drive train have aged nicely without any major repairs. The engines hummes the same way as when I first bought it. It is an excellent vehicle for someone with light duty chores, but at the same time offers a smoother ride than more sedans.

• 

  S10 Tahoe Regular Cab - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By JohnnyP - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Nice truck. good fuel economy. V6 not a good engine. looks good runs good. cant hold 300 pounds without bottoming out.

• 

  S-10 - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Mac Daddy - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Can very relible and can take a beating.No matter how much u abuse the truke it will keep on running stong.