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:
Showing 21 through 30 of 647.00-
Last GM for me - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
By never_again - October 12 - 12:01 pmIve had this truck for a year, bought used from a dealer. It has had more repairs than my last 3 vehicles combined. They were also GM vehicles. The front shocks started leaking at 20,000 miles, the door switch for interior lights goes out of whack in cold temperatures so the lights wont turn off while driving. The emrgency break jammed because a connecting linkage under the dash fell apart. Both doors leak in the rain dripping water onto the door arm rests. The gas mileage is horendous for a 4 cylinder. The cruise control works when it feels like it. Oh, and if you park it on a hill with less than a quarter of a tank of gas-it wont start!
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Mixed Feelings - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
By Gordon - May 19 - 4:24 pmThis 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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Piece of Junk - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
By Jhow0672 - April 1 - 2:00 amOnly 66,000 miles but already had driveshaft fall off, computer died, radiator leak, water pump died, intake manifold leaked, air-conditioning died, windshield wipers had a manufacturing defect that I fixed myself.. generally unreliable truck.
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Not too great... - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
By brandon30263 - March 1 - 2:00 amI have owned this 2003 S-10 for 8 months, Ive had it in the service shop over 9 times... Tranmission shifts really hard, and big delay when slowing down, then speeding up.
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This truck is the worst! - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
By ozonewht - January 9 - 2:00 amI drive the 4cyl. version. I bought this truck brand new. I have had nothing but problems. The CD player has been replaced twice, the radiator replaced, windshield wipers were defective, the seatbelts were defective, Im on my 3rd AC compressor, the alarm was defective,the door handle fell out of the door-had to replaced, battery has had to be replaced 4 times- truck wouldnt start when I had to go to work, the gas gauge broke after 3 years, rearview mirror fell off. 3rd door rattles. Seats wore out after 2 years.I bought a extended warranty up 75000 miles, but things really needed to be replaced after 80000 miles.
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gtg - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
By shellyjarv - December 30 - 2:00 amno power but very reliable
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Buy only for fuel efficiency - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By txmx - October 22 - 2:00 amI bought this 4cyl truck with 102000 in 1999. It used to be a company truck. The A/C was inop and it had been in an accident prior to selling. I bought it because it was the only thing I could afford. Unless you are only going to use it for work, dont buy it. I already put another engine on it due to highway usage. I also replaced clutch, slave cylinder, master clutch cylinder, driver seat, power brake is going out...I could go on. If you want more reliability, buy a full-size truck, whether it be Chevy or Ford.
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chevrolet truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
By Greg Brooks - July 17 - 2:00 amAt 1000 miles door handles broke.16000 Miles fuel pump went out and the front oil seal.18000 miles brake problems.Very unhappy with the chevrolet s10
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Tried Tested and Boooo - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
By shimmer - July 6 - 2:00 amExtended Cab with sport suspension, handles well. Many issues with check engine light. Air pump gets dirty and fails, replaced two. Aluminum brake lines required replacing- leaking, ignition switch failed, transmission hunts for gear when excellerating - annoying, dash lights reflect in side mirrors - annoying, hood release pops too easily with foot, no box light, too much body flex, rotors warp prematurely, ABS kicks in on bumps as previously mentioned - way too easily. I have a complete lack of confidence in build quality and reliabilty. Have not been stranded but truck is only 2.5 years old.
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most gut less vehicle i have ever owned - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
By jim my real name! - June 19 - 2:00 ammotor has NO power,downshifts on every incline no matter how minor,at 60 u r forcing it,and a " go- cart" like this thing should get much more than 25 to 27 mph,i have a 91 dodge spirit with a 4 banger in it that will eat this things lunch any day of the week n gets 32 to 35 mph. most gutless vehicle i have ever owned,definately regret buying it,will never repeat this mistake!
