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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  1997 S10 Etx Cab - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Deerehere - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck new 7 years ago. I has been a great running and reliable truck.

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  My S-10 - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By papaptl - April 12 - 2:00 am

  No mechanical trouble in 14 mos. ownership, even though I just turned 151k mi. I just do regular maintenance and put a set of tires on her.

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  Fun and Cheap - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By Kaxe - April 4 - 3:00 am

  First Crew Cab for me but 4th S-10. I really like the ride and drive of this truck. I am sorry to see it go away.

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  2004 Chevy S-10Crew - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By jiminpa2k4@yahoo.com - April 4 - 3:00 am

  The price was the determiming factor. The new Colorados are too expensive. Ill buy a Ford F-150 Crew cab before I pay that much for a Colorado/Canyon.

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  Piece of Junk - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jhow0672 - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Only 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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  Durable - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jimbob - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought this truck used in 97. Maintained it with regular oil changes and GM updates. It has never failed me. It has sat outside covered in snow in sub-zero temperatures and starts right up. Yes, the cloth interior is wearing out, but automotively speaking, it still runs as well as when I bought it. And I havent been real nice to it at times (missed a few scheduled oil changes, demand a lot of it getting on the freeway and have strained the suspension with some really overweight loads). Not something to take a date out in or go to church, but overall, a good dependable, durable truck.

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  Those wires drove me crazy! - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Economy Engineer - April 1 - 2:00 am

  The high-energy ignition module kills a set of wires every 25K miles.Until you recognize that, it will make you insecure. As soon as you feel that first stutter, probably on a wet day, change them immediately. When its got good wires, it runs like a champ. 103K so far, still getting 28MPG on a commute, Ive had as high as 35 MPG on a trip w/ 5 speed, 4 cyl.

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  2004 s10 - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jimbo C. - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this 2004 s10 Crew Cab and i love it i test drove the new Colorado and they are nice but i dont think they compare to the s10. The s10 is much more comfortable and has a lot more torque. I dont know why Chevy is getting rid of it. All i buy is Chevy vehicles i think they are the best and nothing else even can come close.

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  The best truck for value - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By kha46043 - March 28 - 2:00 am

  I was in an accident with this truck and it saved my life. (I was rearended) There was alot of engineering genius in protecting vital areas of the truck. I was able to drive away. It is a tough truck that lives up to the slogan "built like a rock". When I have to get a new vehicle in the way distant future I will get another truck from GM!

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  Good Basic Truck - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By mowman777 - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I was quite pleased with my purchase of the truck. I put a hard 140K miles on it. I towed a trailer regularly and even with the 4 cyl engine had no problems. Great truck for the price.