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:
Showing 31 through 40 of 647.00-
Wont do it again - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
By sabdsbu - June 15 - 2:00 amOver all I like the truck it is just little problems that have irritated me. Broken reline handle on driver seat, broken lumbar support cable. Paint chipping off behind tires and I dont drive dirt roads, Rattles inside, doors leak water in a good rain storm, wind whistles. Also starting to find gasket problems, what is next??
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Im sellin it! - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
By Localboarder22 - May 27 - 2:00 amWhen I bought this truck I thought it was the coolest thing. Yea little did I know that durring the time I owned it, it would be in the shop 7 times!!!! Thats right 7, different problems every time. I baby the hell out of it and it still breaks. I will never own another chevy as long as I live. I am purchasing a Dodge now.
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Looks can be deceiving - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
By fatmawyer - May 27 - 2:00 amLooks very sporty at the dealer, but not so on the road. The only possibility for performance is with the v6 setup and the manual transmission. I had the 4 with automatic. Xtremely poor performance. The build quality was horrible. The rotors went bad after 20k miles, the transmission needed an overhaul after 30k, and at 56k the truck was having trouble starting. I was very disappointed and after trading in the truck (after ENORMOUS depreciation-over 60% of original value in 2.5 years and 56k miles) and purchasing japanese, I will never buy american again, the quality just doesnt exist.
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Never buying American again....... - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
By exchevyman - February 25 - 2:00 amI have a 1998 Chevy S-10, 4WD extended cab, 55000mi....waste of my hard earned money. I DO NOT ABUSE THIS TRUCK. My driveshaft snapped out and dropped out my truck....please explain how this can happen? From day one nothin but problems. Interior: visor broke off in my hand, passenger seat adjustment broke off in my hand and intermittent power window problems. Exterior: wash and wax regularly and everytime I do I find chipped paint and rust spots, cracked side view mirror casing, 3rd door hand broke off in hand. Mechanical: front cv joint boot just came off, spare tire holder broke, brakes are less than par DONT BUY THIS TRUCK!
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Stray away from this lemon - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
By dont buy gm - December 30 - 2:00 amWhat a pile this truck is. I got the base model with the 4 cylinder and 5 speed. The tach goes to 6000 rpm, but once you hit about 4300 rpm, the engine sounds like its going to blow up. The tranny grinds gears constantly and sounds like it has 200K miles on it. Annoying as hell shift light. Rattles since new. Front suspensions squeaks. ONLY about 22 MPG, though its rated higher. There was a tether to the gas cap, but that broke off after about 20 tanks of gas.
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what a piece of junk - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
By tbirdfive0 - December 19 - 2:00 amI bought this truck in 2001. It had 80,000 miles on it when i bought it. I have hated it ever since. I have replaced: starter, fuel pump, and many gaskets. It had left me stranded multiple times and the locks ice up every time the temp drops below 20. The tranny grinds when put into 1st gear. This truck has been nothing but a headache.... and the clutch as a squeek that i cant find.
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Never Again!! - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By surf - November 18 - 2:00 amI new this truck had a spotty record, but didnt think it would ever be this bad. The trucks on its 5th water pump. It blew a rod at 102K and the entire engine is replaced. Power windows have had problems. The AC compressors been replaced. All fuel injectors have been replaced more than once. Alternator is gone too. The inside is all plastic and things rattle. It was recarpeted by the dealer because of such a poor fit. This truck is garaged and highly maintained. I hate to see one that is neglected! You need a kidney belt to ride in this thing because its so bumpy. The only thing thats been good on it is the brakes.
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Poor Workmanship!!! - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
By $$ALL GONE - October 19 - 2:00 amWont go into the mpg issue, thats already been covered. All Ive got to say is its a terrible shame chevy has no pride in its design or quality of its trucks, I had 97 full size chevy and loved it, good quality etc.. On the new s-10 the interior looks and feels like its made from the plastic from a kids toy! I cant even begin to tell you how cheap it looks and feels. Dont waste your $$$
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Dont Buy a ZR-2 - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
By Frenum - September 23 - 2:00 amThis vehicle has been a disappointment. Although it looks like a rugged offroad vehicle, it is still a weak S-10 underneath. To have any significant performance, several aftermarket engine mods (intake, exhaust) are required. The oversized tires put too much stress on the undersigned suspension, leading to frequent ball joint replacements, as well as idler, pitman arms, cv joints, etc. The springs quickly sag, and the small wheel wells will rub against the tires when turning. I am trading in my truck after 36,000 miles, with almost $3,000 in repairs.
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Chevy S10 Xtreme - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
By MadXtreme01 - July 3 - 2:00 amThis is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. So far it has been in to service 7 times and I only have it since november. Ir took them 4 tries to fix the annoying sqeak coming from the brakes that made them sound like they were going to fall off. Now the steering makes a clunk and its going in for the 3rd time and im filing for the lemon law and in the process of getting refund.
