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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  good trucks - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By scrap-iron - October 26 - 1:00 am

  i have had 7 s-10 trucks they have all been good trucks

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  love it - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By berstray - October 25 - 2:00 am

  love it, have had a lot of people check it out, and ask questions

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  my truck - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By s10metalhead - October 25 - 2:00 am

  i love my s-10,i got used and its got some snot for a 4 cyl. i drive it alot,i mean i have a lead foot,and the truck accelerates nicely. ive taken that truck soaring over hills at about 90 and it handled the abuse well. flying around corners in it is great, my friends dont even notice it, and im hualing ass too. my friends (the girls love that truck,long story) the guys think its awsome i mean its got a good sound system in it for stock

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  s-10 - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By the pimp - October 23 - 2:00 am

  extreamly nice good well rounded

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  S-10 Ride - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By Huh? - October 23 - 2:00 am

  This S-10 is a 6 cyl regular cab. The list maker missed this one. I listed a 4 cll and it is not!

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  Buy only for fuel efficiency - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By txmx - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I 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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  Best off-road vehicle out the door!! - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By BADZR2 - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Though my ZR2 is a 2002, I must voice my opinion. This truck ROCKS! I have taken this vehicle to the nastiest places off-roading and it performs above all other trucks in its class!! I have even towed Jeeps out of jams!! Hopefully, the Colorado will carry on the tradition of the ZR2!. To all those guys worried about the gas mileage, give it 10,000 miles and your gas mileage will increase dramatically after break-in :)

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  Im dissapointed ! - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ray Parker - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive always had problems with the side seat handles that allow the seat to be reclined. They have been replaced three times and still dont work. The passenger compartment is much too small. The cheap plastic that GM uses for the interior is awful. The transmission was overhauled at 40000 miles. But I had to complain for two years that it was continually slipping before they fixed it under the extended warranty. It worked fine for about a year but started slipping again. I took the S-10 in before the extended warranty had expired and had it checked. They did nothing. Now that my warranty has expired, they want $2000 to repair it. Brakes are weak.

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  S-10 is an excellent choice for students - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jonathon Simmons - October 20 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Xtreme S-10 truck for 1about 1 1/2 years now and I have not had any mechanical problems other than normal wear. This truck has been very reliable to me while I was in school and driving a lot of miles. I would not recommend the regular cab truck to someone who is any taller than 6 feet unless you dont mind being a little crammed. This truck is an excellent decision for a student who wants a truck that is reliable, fun to drive, looks awesome, and is relatively inexpensive.

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  Great Buy - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Big Phil - October 16 - 2:00 am

  This truck is a great buy. I have 104,000 miles on my truck and havent had a single problem. It isnt a flashy truck but it is worth every dollar.