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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  S10, LS Reg Cab SB, V-6, Auto - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By BL - March 10 - 10:15 am

  The only negative is the rough ride with empty bed.

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  Good Car - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By Scottman - March 7 - 9:31 pm

  This is my first car and it is great. It gets me from point A to B every time. Starts every single time I turn the key. Beat it up a lot and it kept on going (165000 miles on this thing and still going)

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  2002 Crew Cab - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By ziggypop - March 7 - 9:08 am

  My wife and I really enjoy this vehicle, it has come in handy on 2 or 3 occations when the local weather has been nasty. A fun vehicle to drive

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  Pretty Good Little Truck - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Crash - March 5 - 7:19 pm

  LS trim package Ext. Cab. Purchased in March 1997. Vortec V6 w/4-speed automatic tranmission. Current milage - 75k. Not a bad little pickup. The performance is nice, although I think the transmission could be a little more refined. Its had about $600 worth of repair work over the past 5 years, which isnt bad. Despite the problems, the return on my purchase has far outweighed the problems. I am a satisfied customer.

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  Chevy Works - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By eihcir - March 2 - 9:33 pm

  Action Chevrolet in Troy,NY tried to nickel and dime me,even after i wrote the figures out for them.I had to PRY money back from them for a expensive coupon that i didnt want nor get.Vehicle was delivered dirty.Tried to hold back my registration after i paid for it.Had to PRY the expensive 1,800 extended warranty from them.Owner had it washed.Complained about the poor service. The owner said, "thats all were gonna do for you and hung up".

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  1996 S10 review - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Bill Jones - March 1 - 5:44 pm

  I have driven this 5 speed standard shift vehicle since purchased as new and have had no problems with it. I am only interested in trading to get a automatic shift.

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  I like my truck - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By TxTruk - February 27 - 6:51 pm

  V6, 5 spd. manual. Replaced rear main seal, clutch, pressure plate @ 50K. Most milage is trips over 30 miles.

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  New S-10 - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By gjc866 - February 25 - 6:06 pm

  Just purchased this S-10 two weeks ago, already logged 1100 miles on it. Fun truck to drive, very nice interior. 4 cylinder with automatic a little weak, but easy on gas. Thats the trade off -power or economy. Felt better than the Ford Ranger I drove, tighter, and less expensive vs features than the Dodge Dakota which was also very, very nice.