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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  S10 - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By KRC - June 5 - 2:00 am

  The interior seat adjustment levers both broke with normal use. Other than that built well and very reliable.

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  2003 S-10 Crew Cab - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By jspt46 - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Great truck so far. Not much leg room in the back seat for my 11year old. Please get the 3.73 gear ratio option. The 3.42 has no low end torque. It has no take off power. Nice vehicle and you cant beat the $4000 rebate!

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  I got my Xtreme before they are gone... - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By Xtremely Happy - May 28 - 2:00 am

  Already an owner of an S-10 I knew I would be pleased w/ another. My 96 has over 110k & except for normal repairs (brake pads, shocks, plugs, clutch, filters, etc.) it has been a great little truck & I kept it for my daily driver. It appears S-10s will be done after 2003 & I didnt want to miss my change to grab an Xtreme. Being my 1st new car, I wanted to place a factory order & get exactly what options I wanted. After having the order in writing, but on hold, for almost 4 months I finally took the leap mid Feb. As it turns out, I got Xtremely lucky & it arrived just 3 weeks later as GM launched 0% for 60mo & $1k GM loyalty rebate.

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  1998 S10 ZR2 Ext Cab - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Bigstik - May 27 - 2:00 am

  An extremely reliable vehicle from the day I drove it of the lot. Very limited repairs needed over the 5.5 years I have owned it. Ask your mechanic about these 4.3 liter Vortec V6 engines, hell tell you that they are built for the long haul. I tow my 19 Sea Ray, haul mulch, furniture, and anything else that will fit in the bed, and racked up about 60,000 miles the first 2 years working the MD/VA territory - all highway, and I dont baby this truck. It still runs like the day I drove it off the lot.

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  Sporty S-10 - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By kherald - May 27 - 2:00 am

  First of all, my truck is the 4.3L, 4Spd automatic trans, ZQ8 suspension, locking diff (which isnt listed in drop-down style options). If you are planning on towing anything avoid the ZQ8 package because it isnt designed for towing. The engine gives me about 17-20 MPG which is as advertised.

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  Im sellin it! - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Localboarder22 - May 27 - 2:00 am

  When 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 am

  Looks 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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  Excellent Truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By bauerman - May 21 - 2:00 am

  I have the 4 cylinder engine coupled with a 5 speed transmission and could not be happier with the truck to date. Smooth shifting - good power - and great gas milegage so far. If you are thinking of the 4 cylinder engine - go for the 5 speed manual as well, its the best pairing of engine and transmission. Fit and finsh seem to be excellent - especially for a used truck with 65000 miles. No rattles to this point - takes bumps well and seem to be "screwed together" very tightly. Im getting about 28 MPG right now and am very happy with that. Hauls a load pretty well and sits low enough to the ground to make loading the bed easy.

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By Great Truck - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Great looking and performing vehicle. I get a lot of compliments on its looks and also on its offroad abilities. No mechanical problems of any kind. No squeaks or rattles - tows and hauls everything Ive thrown at it.

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  weak trans - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Geoff 1954 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  1st problem, battery went dead and had to replace it under warrenty,2ed transmition problem, overdrive burns out needing a major rebuilt.