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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  Another Good GM - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By wrrmar - June 29 - 4:04 pm

  This is my 3rd S-series truck from GM. I owned an 87 S-10 and 89 S-15. Both were excellent vehicles. This one continues the trend towards quality that I have always had with GM. My current truck has only been back to the shop 2 times (once for an oil change and once for body work after it was rearended)

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  I tried to buy American - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By j.a. beede - June 25 - 3:31 pm

  I bought this truck with less than 60k miles 3 years ago. Now it has 74k. So far Ive replaced 2 O2 sensors, the alternator, the EGR valve, the exhaust system, the spider injector system, the ball jointsand 2 tires. The plastic interior rattles. The bottom of the doors are rusting due to poor drainage. It leaks from the front and rear differentials. It leaks from the power steering. I was hoping to get 100k miles out of it, but who knows what will go wrong next. I wish I would have bought a Japanese truck.

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  Love this truck - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By miamiredhawk00 - June 5 - 3:56 pm

  My truck has the 4.3 V-6 and the ZQ-8 suspension package, without the ugly x- treme package. I love the look and performance of this truck, its my weekend rig so it stays in excellent condition. If your looking for a truck that looks and drives like a performance car this is it. I dont know how much weight you could put in the bed, but I really only use it for my bicycles. I purchased used and the only problems Ive had were the battery went bad at 30,000 and the 3rd door needed to be adjusted to open properly, it still squeaks a bit while driving but works fine.

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  Mixed Feelings - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Gordon - May 19 - 4:24 pm

  This was my first brand new vehicle and I have mixed feelings. It HAS lasted almost five years straight. I have driven it repeatedly off road and pulled little bush stumps with it. On the OTHER hand, with less than 1000 miles on it a coolant leak developed behind the dash, turning that new car smell into that rotting corpse smell. Its also extremely underpowered. I have actually considered turning off the A/C when merging onto a fast highway. And I have to replace a blown A/C fuse about twice a year. As it nears 90K miles, most of the engine seals are leaking. In the end, it is just what I paid for: a cheap little truck that will take care of you if you take care of it.

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  1998 ZR2 - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By jbl_forever - May 5 - 2:21 pm

  This vehicle is very fun to drive and the look of it is very appealing. I have owned this vehicle for one year and have put over $2500 in repairs. The guy before me must have not taken care of it. I didnt go more than two months without something going wrong. I was at the repair shop frequently. Although it caused me some headaches, I would defintely own another ZR2 and they are worth the money, as long as you take care of it.

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  I love my S-10 - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By IndianaAbsentee - May 1 - 1:20 am

  I bought this truck last spring because I was in a pinch and had to act fast. It has turned out to be the best vehicle I have ever owned. I use it as a daily driver, and I pull a 17 fiberglass bass boat with it frequently. The truck gets the job done, and looks great. I put a water pump in it this winter, and had some minor problems with the ignition wiring, but nothing major has gone wrong even though there are 74,000 rough miles on this truck.

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  Solid, but ZR2 was underengineered - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ron S - April 28 - 1:21 pm

  Original owner of black ZR2. Great sightlines from drivers seat, great looks. Had the ABS chip fail in first week of ownership and three front hubs replaced before 42K due to combination of failed parts and mechanic error. Due to oversized tires 31x10.5 being mounted on standard 4wd wheel steering and suspension assemblies (except for Bilstein shocks), this truck eats brakes and lower ball joints. Never got more than 19.8 MPG and now avg about 16MPG with hard driving. I am meticulous with scheduled maint including flushing trans. Major costs included replacing encoder motor at 130K, and fuel pump, water pump, and alternator near 150K. Original engine and tranny and still running very well.

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  Great little truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By jpr - April 26 - 9:24 pm

  For the money, my S-10 has been great so far. The 4 cyl 2.2L is shy on horsepower, but great on mileage. I average about 26MPG., with most miles around town. I have had no problems at all, and the rig was 50% less than the comparable Toyota. I would not recommend an automatic with the 2.2L engine. Also, dont drive with the vehicle venting system on defrost if you dont have to, as you are running the compressor, and will reduce mileage by 10%, as well as power. My 5th small truck, and my favorite so far (Mazda, Toyota, Datsun in past, although the Toyota was a great rig too).

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  Great Truck - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By D. Karl - April 25 - 6:12 pm

  Ive always been a truck owner. Ive had my S-10 for 10 years. I like the ride... handles well enough, but a pleasant ride. Interior is fine for me seat color hides dirt. Just an all round nice vehicle. In 10 years and 150,000 miles the only repairs were EGR valve, alternator and wiper hose.

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  Nice Truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Joey Anterola - April 25 - 2:15 pm

  Nice truck, no horsepower... still very nice interior and stylish exterior. No complaints... except no horsepower...