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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  Alaskan S-10 - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Scooter79 - December 13 - 2:00 am

  Have had NO problems whatsoever. Use 4WD daily during winter (October-May), with multiple switches between 2WD and 4WD on-the-fly each time out. Vortech V-6 is nice, but wish it had even more power as to drive home I need to go up STEEP hills, and pedal seems to be on the floor alot. Posi-traction and 3rd door are a must for my likings.

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  Rock solid - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Cabron2891 - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this truck for almost 3 years. Ive owned fords and dodges, and neither one has come close to being as reliable as my chevy. Where Im from, I see alot more S-10s than fords and dodges combined.

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  Great so far - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By Pockets - December 9 - 2:00 am

  Only had it for about 1 month so far but really enjoy it so far. I bought a black one. Looks really sharp, I thought. Rides real nice and very comfortable. Got a good price too with the $3500 rebate. Of course the gas mileage is not the best but already knew that going in. I sold my 98 Grand Am to get this one. I already had a 98 4cyl. ex-cab s10 that I really liked and seemed solid with no troubles for the last 2 years since buying it used. It helped me in my decision to buy the 04. I still use the 98 to run around town and work truck. Will use the 04 to pull the popup camper on long trips and in the snow.

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  Nice truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By HenryJ - December 5 - 2:00 am

  It took a few modifications to really bring this truck to life. Thank goodness for a wide variety of aftermarket parts being available. I will be keeping this one for a very long time. Every model has its "quirks" , but this one has been better than some for the problems being minor and few. Really suits our needs to a "tee" (Family, weekend offroading, daily commute).

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  S-10 - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By tahenline - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Thought I was buying a decent quality, economical, dependable little truck. WRONG! 17mpg, gutless performance, windows dont seat properly when I try to close them (screeching wind noise), hyper-sensitive ABS brakes, seatbelts that lock in place and dont permit any movement, backache-generating seat, cheap/chintzy plastic all throughout the cab, tires that crumble, PLASTIC(!) intake manifold, clutch mastercylinder, fuel tank and shock absorbers. Vehicle appears to have been manufactured from recycled beer cans and plastic coat- hangers. Keep hoping it either burns to the ground or somebody steals this piece of rolling trash. Never again, GM!

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  little brother of Z71 - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By big4x4_22 - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I really like the height this truck came stock and the performance with the V-6 engine. This truck can hang with the big boys in the mud and look good while doing it

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  FIRST TIME ZR2 OWNER - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By ZRTOWER - December 2 - 2:00 am

  THUS FAR THE VEHICLE HAS EXCEEDED ALL EXPECTATIONS I HAD BEFORE PURCHASE.THE VERSATILITY OF THIS VEHICLE IS UTTERLY AMAZING. THE FUEL MILEAGE IS A LITTLE HARSH FOR A MIDSIZE BUT THE TOURQUE OF THE ENGINE IS DEFFINATLEY NOT HIDING IN THE BUSHES ITS THERE AND PROUD

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  not a bad little truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By fireslayer79 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I got a great deal on an S-10, fully loaded. It runs great, love the sift on the fly 4 wheel drive and has plenty of cargo area.

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  A Good Little Guy Truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By PaFab - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had this truck for over a year now, and it still performs the way it did the day I drove it off the lot. The thing I like about it the best is there is also a Western Snow plow available for it.

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  2003 Crew Cab - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By wiznbyu - November 27 - 2:00 am

  So far this has been a good truck. I dont tow anything, but needed a 4X4 for hunting and winter. The four door is great for kids and I still have a small box for hauling whatever I need to move.