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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  Just what I needed - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By dffc - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I just got my CC and so far it has been great. Got the 6 CD changer stereo and it will blow you out of the truck. This truck is good in the mountains. It has plenty of power. Got the 3.73 gears which gives it great take off power. Also got the ZR5 package, looks great.

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  Good truck. Bad transmission. - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By Greg Robinson - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this truck since 1995. I bought it with 55,000 miles and it has been a good one except at 115000 miles first gear went out and I got the transmision rebuilt and in two months second gear went out under warrenty and cost me nothing. I think it was a factory defect in the transmision.

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  hated it - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By jkh6148 - August 14 - 2:00 am

  for me - strickly a younger persons truck - engine and transmission were loud - off road tires areloud and throws slush/mud/water up onto itself - making it impossible to keep clean especially in winter

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  Best truck ever - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By 454 ss 725 hp - August 13 - 2:00 am

  very reliable well rounded truck.

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  I Love this Truck - 1990 Chevrolet S-10
  By dlh298 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I owned this vehicle for almost 10 years and put on about 180,000 miles during that time. The truck left me on the side of the road only twice in that time. and then only for easily fixed items (once was the water pump, and the other the alternator). Considering the time and mileage put into her the yearly maintenance cost was minimal because almost nothing ever broke.

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  truck - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By jet - August 9 - 2:00 am

  this truck runs very good and gets good gas mileage and so it goes.

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  Runnin son-of-a-gun - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By HGW - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Im extremely happy with my S-10. My gas mileage isnt too hot, but its so fun to drive, I dont care. Besides, Im probably most of the problem (quick jackrabbit starts, driving fast, etc.).

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  Its been a great little truck - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jimb - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Do regular maintenance and any vehicle will last. Well-powered with high-end V6 & manual trans, rides nicely, just enough cargo room (LS/Extended cab) and looks good (black w/silver trim). Bought in 98 with 46K miles, now has about 80K. W/Wiper recall was long overdue, but other than that its been a joy to own & drive (when my wife lets me).

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  Good Truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By Dllusr396 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Good all around truck

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  Pretty good...For a while - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ruby Shaun - July 30 - 2:00 am

  Pretty good truck for a while...Dont take 2wd 4 cyl offroading through anything...Itll completely kill it. Rust is bad, but it gets me from place to place. Trying to get rid of it now, lookin for somethin bigger and roomier. Prolly going towards Ford, I had a ranger for a while and liked that a lil better, not by much..Going full- size ford.