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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  Nice Truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By BigAC23 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  If someone is looking for a really good small truck that can fit a family this is it. It rides like a car on the road and preforms well off road. I am a tall guy and I fit with room to spare behind the wheel.

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  Jurys still out - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By GOLF MAN - October 6 - 2:00 am

  NICE TRUCK TO START THEN THE RADIO KEPT LOCKING OUT NOW WITH 42000 MILES REAR AXEL SEAL GONE ALSO REAR PINION SEAL BIG $$ TO FIX

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  ITS GREAT - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By ROUNDS97 - October 2 - 2:00 am

  THIS TRUCK HAS GREAT HANDLING AND SPEED IT ALSO HAS TOWING POWER BELIEVE ME I KNOW I HAVE TOWED A 22 FOOT DOVE TAIL WITH A OLDSMOBILE ALERO ON IT TO NEW MEXICO ITS THE BEST TRUCK I HAVE EVER OWNED

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  Fun Truck - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By mustangman68s - September 26 - 2:00 am

  First off, Ive always been a Ford man. But I got a great deal on this truck by buying it from my sister. It has been a great truck ever since I have owned it. Only little things went wrong such at starter going out (granted I had just been off-roading the heck out of it), alternator going out and replacing a leaky heater core. Great truck!

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  Great Little Truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By AWC - September 22 - 2:00 am

  My 2003 s-10 is a great truck , if you know how to drive a five speed you can really get this truck moving failry quick. The five speed is the way to go if you are going to buy the s-10 , you have a more powerful take off and accelerate alot faster.The trucks suspension is overall tight, and it gets 30 miles a gallon.I purchased this truck for work because it gets great gas mileage.The interior is nice , and the additional passengers side airbag is a great addition, with an optional on -off button.The truck rides very smooth. Overall this is a nice little truck and at 10,700 dollars Im not going to complain for a brand new truck.

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  ZR2 - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By zr2boy2001 - September 21 - 2:00 am

  This ZR2 S-10 is the only truck that i have never had any problmes

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  S10 ZR2 - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Neleous - September 20 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been through everything from drag racing to off roading. The only problem Ive had was the reclining handle on the drivers seat broke off. I havent been very nice to this truck but it has treated me awesome.

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  Dont waste money!!! Trust me... - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By nuendo84 - September 19 - 2:00 am

  had a 97 model, Dexcool in a car is something you dont want- thats the new antifreeze. Person I bought truck from didnt change it because youre supposed to be able to go 60k with it- NOPE! let one little trickle of air (from a radiator cap), or green antifreeze,or let it get old and kiss your engine GOODBYE! ALSO- the suspenion after 40-50k starts to suck. Shock was leaking, tie rod ends were dead, I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER CHEVY ANYTHING AGAIN! Had bad problems withe a 1995 Formula Firebird LT1 at 80k miles!

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  S10 Mean machine - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By billsfan90294 - September 13 - 2:00 am

  This is a great truck. Has so mucn power and is very dependable. 4.3 L is the best enginee GM has ever put out. Tows trailers with ease and has great traction in the snow.

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  Still Kicking - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By cbod - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Bought this truck brand new. A/C has gone out twice. Freeze plugs went bad before 70,000 miles. Transmission is finally about to go. But overall, one of the best vehicles I have every bought.