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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This truck is excellent - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By Doug T. - September 19 - 2:00 amMany other reviews on this site rate this truck poorly, but look at their complaints, theyre completely ridiculous. These people are blaming general maintenance on poor mfg quality. If you use you vehicle hard, youre gonna have problems with it. I have a 96 s-10 that wasnt used heavily and was maintained properly and I havent had a single problem with it. Buy one with a v6 and you wont be disappointed, this thing can get up and move!
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Very Reliable, Long Lasting, IT ROCKS! - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
By iowalee - September 12 - 2:00 amI have had this truck for 11 years, 135000 miles. Tune up @ 100k, brakes replace x1, Original alternator and exhaust. It is the most reliable, inexpensive to maintain, well built auto I have ever owned.
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Handles Great, Reliable, Fun to drive - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
By iowalee - September 12 - 2:00 amI have the 3 door, 5-sp, 4 cyl, with the sports suspension package, 18000 miles. It hugs the road, great gas milage. Drive it 80 miles/day to/from work.
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Nice ZR5 - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
By Empty - September 11 - 2:00 amGreat Truck that rides like a car. I dont like the seat material, hard to keep clean and hard to vacuum. Excellent on gas, true to ratings. Crew cab is excellent in 4X4, no extra weight needed.
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S-10 Keeps on Trucking - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By GJCAILL - August 23 - 2:00 amI have had only minor repairs until recently.(front end work-lower ball joints,upper a-frame bushings,tierod ends,idler arm and center link. I had previously had only changed the ac compressor, spark plugs one time, water pump-leaking,belt,and idler pulley.The shocks have all been replaced
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Most Reliable Vehicle I Ever Owned - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
By OregonDan - August 18 - 2:00 amI just read through a few of the S-10 reviews and thought I should add my 2 cents. Purchased the truck for $10K drove it over 100,000 miles and never had any problems except for a burned out fuse ($5) and I replaced myself... and Im NOT mechanically inclined. I sold the truck in 2001 for $5100 with 110K miles and regret not keeping it longer. Used it for commuting to college and hauling firewood. Great little truck. I may have gotten the 1 out of 1000... but sold the truck to a manager at Pepsi for his daughter and he informed me that Pepsi runs a fleet of lil S-10 trucks and all of them have passed 100K miles+ with little to none problems.
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solid truck - 1990 Chevrolet S-10
By rowedaddy - July 29 - 2:00 amso far this has been a great truck.only had to replace one thing and that was the fan belt.truck was specially order when new has all the options on it including a digital instrument panal and the optional 4.3l v-6 and 4 speed automatic. truck has all the power i will need in fact it has quicker 0- 60mph runs than the newest s10 pickups. my truck can hit 0-60 in 9.5 seconds versus 9.7 for a s10 vortec 4.3 kinda wierd huh.and it can also make quick work of a 4.6 expedition and a 92 ford explorer 4.0 trust me ive raced.
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Sweet Ride - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
By Big Mac1982 - July 26 - 2:00 amA great truck turns alot of heads. Runs grat and looks good doing it!
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1996 S-10 - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By yoccke - July 23 - 2:00 amThe quality of this vehicle is superb. I have had virtualy no trouble with this vehicle in the 8 years that I have owned it.
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Great value for a used truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
By Thekid - July 17 - 2:00 amI bought this S-10 with the 2.2L/5 Speed - yet otherwise its loaded even to having the premium CD player audio. The 4 Cyl is okay power-wise once you realize it comes alive up in the rev band when you need to accelerate. The A/C all but kills the poor engine however - but it does blow ice cubes. There is enough room for my 61" self - the bonus of the lower seating. For me, of course the seat is jammed fully back without the luxury of reclining - so I dont use those break-prone parts... of course my lumbar support is long gone. The seats are too hard. The wiper control issue is a major safety problem! Positives are great economy and solid body at 100K+
