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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  Its a truck, thats about it - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By bharvey67 - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Bought this vehicle in May and it does everything that I ask it to do. It rides like a truck, and handles like a truck. The V6 engine is a low-tech, low-revving engine that has gobs of low- end torque. As far as quality goes, the interior plastic pieces arent put on very well, but other than that the truck is doing ok. I have no regrets in buying it.

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  Excellent little pick up truck!! - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Carlos - July 1 - 2:00 am

  This is the best little truck I have ever had, mine is a manual V6 so I love to smoke those sittle 4s and some of the other V6s.

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  Love My Truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Maoch - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Excelent truck. Good gas mileage for a truck. We live in the So. Cal. mountains and love the 4WD. We get good compliments all the time on the ride (like a car) and the looks of the vehicle. We highly recommend this truck.

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  First Chevrolet Owned - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By stroudt - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I have always owned Ford trucks. The last one being a 1997 Ranger. When I began shopping, I honestly wanted a Dakota. But the $3000 rebate and the big 4.3 six cyl lured me into a S10. I am soooooooooo glad that I chose the Chevy. After driving a 4 cyl Ranger for 4 years the Chevy was quite a performance improvement. Fuel economy has been better than advertised. There are so many little "extras" with regard to creature comfort and convenience features that Ford or Dodge just do not offer.

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  great power from the 4.3L - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By riano - June 20 - 2:00 am

  This truck is everything I hoped it would be. The reliability is still to be determined, since Ive only owned the truck for a month. I do know, however, that the mail trucks in my town all have S-10 engines and transmissions and are VERY reliable. This tows at least 4,000 lbs. with no problem. No defects as far as I could see. Great power without sacrificing too much gas mileage. Both interior and exterior are stylish, if not a little conservative. Great comfort. Maybe a little too much wind noise on highway. Overall great buy for the money.

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  questionable...... - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By big stank - June 3 - 2:00 am

  i hate to say it but i do have worries about my truck sometimes. its a great truck when it works.i bought it usedfrom a guy i know and it was in great condition - it was at 96500 miles and ran great till about 98000.at 98 i to drop a new starter in the new thing.soon after i put that in my service engine light came on. after copule of oxygen cencors it ran great to 100,000 miles where know it sits at the shop waiting a new trany cause it had a trans fulid leak.after visteding many trans shops almost every guy i talked to made it sounded very common. and other then my low lock not working now i hope i dont have any problems.good luck with yours

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  Best pick-up Ive had in years - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Dave Simon - May 7 - 2:00 am

  This is the best pickup Ive ever had. I go through everything with it. I go up in the mountains about every month and its a very smooth ride. I can go anywhere I go camping with the truck also.

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  Great Engine, but everything else... - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By solid - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my S-10 about 2 years ago from a friend. Ive put about $3500 into repairs in 2 years. The engine on the truck is great, but everything else seems to break down constantly. Had major problems with the fuel pump, brake booster, O2 sensors, and the front axel. The roof leaks very bad, and both door switches broke about a month after I got it. The washer fluid bin started leaking as well as the transmission fluid pan. Brakes have been a very big hassle also. The truck is very comfortable to drive, but thats about it. All in all I will NEVER ever buy another S-10.

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  Great Truck - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By cbb8490 - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought by S-10 new and have put 90,000 miles on it in 3 years.I have put this truck through some hard driving and have had no problems at all. With the 2.2L I obvioulsly dont have the power but I knew that before I bought the truck. The only problem I have had is the reclining lever has broke on both seats but that seems to be the case with most reviews, I agree this should be a recall and GM should replace the contraption all together. But an overall great ride and dependable. The is my 2nd S-10 I also had a 97 that I put 60,000 miles on. I would not hesitate to buy another. But I think I will go with the 4.3L next time.

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  So far, So good... - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By CDSweet - April 29 - 2:00 am

  I have owned the Crew Cab S-10 for almost 2 months now and so far it has been a real value/dollar spent. After all the incentives it was the best deal on the market for a truck that can seat a family of four and ft in my garage. The only things I didnt like about the truck I fixed shortly after buying it. The OEM 15" alloy wheels that Chevrolet puts on all their 4x4 S- Series trucks are looking a little dated. The window tint should include all windows and not just the back ones. And last, and the most annoying to me is the Air Bag shutoff switch? Why on Earth would they remove this option from just this model? Shocked me a little.. Dean