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:

• 

  Nice Little Truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By snorenore - February 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought my truck 2 years ago, I have the 4cyl 5 speed. Has been a great truck for me, most of all because of the great fuel economy. Has some minor things that dont cause any problems, they are just annoying. Like many other S-10 owners I know the SES light is on. Have taken it in twice and they cant seem to find out what it is. It shifts nice except downshifting into third, that can be a little tricky. 80,000 miles and still going strong.

• 

  1998 ZR2 - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By ZR2TRUCK - February 11 - 2:00 am

  Truck does very well in snow when using 4x4. Does well off road except that it does not like to make sharp turns. However, that is expected with extended cab trucks. V6 engine has plenty of power. I had to replace the powersteering pump at 35,000 miles and the ball joints at 50,000. Good design overall, just wish that it was built better. My seat adjustors are broke, the handle to my 3rd door is broke. Fender flares are ate up and I only have 54,000 miles on the truck.

• 

  Powerful and handles well - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By twc - February 10 - 2:00 am

  This truck has performed well. Had to have left and right power windows fixed (mechanicals would bind sometimes). Repaired under warranty. At 31,000 miles had to have one rear axle bearing replaced under warranty and the two piece driveshaft balanced. Otherwise a good truck.

• 

  2003 S/10 - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By rsaad - February 6 - 2:00 am

  PROBLEMS WITH WATER LEAKS IN CAB.POOR REPAIR METHOD FROM THE DEALER AND GM, ROOF SEAMS WERE SEALED IN THE EXTERIOR OF THE BODY,AND NOT PAINTED OR ANYTING.

• 

  ZR2 Extended cab, 4wdr - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By darrin pohlman - February 4 - 2:00 am

  Oil coolant lines have leaked from about 2 months after purchasing the vehilce. Seat side levers are very poorly designed, broke off by just from the climate cahnges and vibration of the truck. Universal needed to be replaced prematurely....bad design

• 

  My moms truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By jackalous - February 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my moms truck, but I have borrowed it enough to say I love this little truck. My mom bought it repoed from a bank who knew nothing about it other than they wanted their money. Its got a great 4.3L V6. The ZR2 is a great package (style and delivery). The pushbutton 4x4 is a dream in MN winters! Only complaint is the 3rd door. Its great to have and use, but doesnt fit well! Other than that, great truck!

• 

  Typical GM - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By tahenline - February 4 - 2:00 am

  Gutless no-tech motor. 17mpg @ 70mph. Overly restrictive air intake. PLASTIC intake manifold. PLASTIC clutch master-cylinder. PLASTIC power-steering fluid reservoir. PLASTIC radiator end-tanks. PLASTIC headlight covers. PLASTIC front grill with water soluble coloring. PLASTIC EVERYTHING in passenger compartment. Windows that refuse to seat properly in the fully-raised position. One broken window regulator (so far). All 4 shocks leaking. Torn rubber exhaust system hangers. Throttle jams in wide-open position. Corrosive DEXKOOL "coolant". ABS system must be disabled to get any kind of reliable braking. Hyper-sensitive seatbelt retractors.

• 

  Decent Truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By bhaines - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I used to have a 92 S-10 with the 2.8. It was a very good low maintanance truck. This one is a little more high maintanance. Had lots of problems with the wiper switch. Had to be replaced. Thank goodness for warranty. Also had the fuel pump, ac blower and compresser, and encoder motor on the 4wd replaced. I expected a few kinks being the first year model so I am not surprised. The dealership fixed all of my problems though.

• 

  Z R5 - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By jlmonte97 - January 24 - 2:00 am

  The ZR5 is a fun and sporty truck. This truck is not to bulky to handle. It looks great, but is also very practical!

• 

  2004 S-10 ZR5 - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By Vulcan#1 - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Had the truck for only a month (Its my third S-10)Very comfortable and roomy for a small pickup. Dont really care for the no-choice black-only interior. Still is an eye-catching design outward. I prefer the looks over the Colorado, mainly because of the odd wheel-well shape on the Colorado.