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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  OK ,but please do better. - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By RayJ. - January 24 - 2:00 am

  ABS in this truck is a NIGHTMARE. Had to goto the shop 5 times. I cross my fingers it wont happen again, but I said that at 4 times in.Its a good truck for light work.

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  S10 - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Randy Auvil - January 22 - 2:00 am

  We have gotten about 17.0 mpg in general driving and 22.0 on a trip. It appears to lack power on hills. My wife calls it a girls truck. Its her truck.

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  just okay - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By done with GM - January 20 - 2:00 am

  It runs most of the time the mileage isnt bad and its appearance is acceptable. I feel the performance is poor even for a 4 cylinder. I have had problems with the plug wires when it is raining and the wires get wet. It refuses to start if the temp. is below 10 degrees. The wipers only work sometimes. The lumbar support broke the day I bought it and of course the seat adjustment handle broke shortly thereafter. I dont think Ill buy GM again mostly due to GMs fairly consistent failure to acknowledge common design flaws and fix them at a resonable cost to the consumer.

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  little red truck - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By bird - January 18 - 2:00 am

  The truck was not what I wanted. Small, no frills. But when I drove it my mind changed. Its fun to drive around the city, if you like to drive. Oh its a 5 speed and I use it. Like most things we drive it could use more power, but then again I wouldnt be passing as many gas stations. I plan on keeping it until it or I give out. So far other the regular maintenance its got all the factory parts except the rear U joint. Great Driver

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  Glad I bort it - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By simo28 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my S-10 Crew cab for 3 month now, and have taken it from the outer beaches of Long Island up to Plattsburgh where I now live. It is a happy median between a fast car and an off road vehicle. Meaning while the suspesion is great, it lacks ground clearance. But being lower to the ground makes it hand real well when cruising at 80-90mph on the highway. Chevy is coming out with the Colorado next year which seems to be a nice truck, look at the specs. S-10 has more torque has the proven 4.3 v6 which was used in Syclone in the early 90s. Where is the improvement? .

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  great truck! - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By RandomHeroUSA - January 13 - 2:00 am

  great truck! the best!

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  1991 S10 SB - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By falconbrother - January 12 - 2:00 am

  This little truck has been only fairly reliable. However, its a decent little work horse for the size. The 2.5 engine is noisy, but good on gas. My little truck has hauled everything from motorcycles to entertainment centers. When one considers the cost to own this truck with how useful it is the only conclusion is that its a great little truck.

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  This truck is the worst! - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By ozonewht - January 9 - 2:00 am

  I 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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  My Dragon - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By jonelliott0 - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Runs great, 4.3 has great takeoff for a truck, no assembly problems other than 3rd door needed realigned. Ive got the ZQ8 package without the extreme package. Truck looks badass, like its crounching about to pounce.

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  One sweet truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By 1badxtreme - January 4 - 2:00 am

  This is one sweet truck, the looks the performance its all there. I love my Xtreme it looks better than any truck on the market and it does it without a huge price tag.