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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  Bigmillage - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jim OReilly - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck in 1999 with 207,200 miles on it. Its a 1994 with the 4.3 V-6 Highoutput, ZM6 off road suspension. which performs great!!!!! everything is ALL orginal nothing has even been touched. And as of right now i drive over 500 miles a week in it and she will get an amazing 24 mpg on the highway even with over 289,000 miles on it!!!!! People need to get their act together and get off the Rangers and other compact pickups and come get a S- 10!

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  Best small truck - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By DECline - April 13 - 2:00 am

  It was sad to see it go...

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  Pleasantly Suprised - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By smartjt - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I was mainly looking at the "import" pickups before I bought mine. A friend of mine told me that the S10 with the 4.3 V6 / Auto was worth looking at since he had known a number of people who had many trouble-free miles with that drivetrain. After comparing Toyota, Nissan, and the S10, the Chevy offered the most value/features for the money. After a year and a half of ownership, I can honestly say that the S10 has far exceeded my expectations. It gets 23 mpg on the highway, plenty of power and comfort, and so far I have not had it back to the dealership for any problems. The guys in Shreveport LA built a nice truck.

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  S-10 SATISFIED - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By JAG7557 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  ALITTLE OVER PRICED FOR WHAT YOU GET.

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  S-10 pickup - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By Tommy Zuniga - April 4 - 2:00 am

  ran real great...no problems at all

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  good little truck - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By g.may - March 31 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE DROVE FORD RANGERS OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS AND THIS TRUCK IS BY FAR THE FASTEST AND BEST RIDING TRUCK I HAVE OWNED.THE 4WD IS GREAT FOR SNOW AND GOOD IN THE MUD.THE STORAGE BEHIND THE SEAT IS GOOD FOR TOOLS AND SMALL ITEMS(NOT FOR ADULTS).GETS AROUND 20MPG AROUND TOWN.

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  sweet - 1990 Chevrolet S-10
  By boooond - March 23 - 2:00 am

  with little modification my s-10 really goes and handles great, I wouldnt have bought anything else (except a newer one)

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  nice - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By JDo - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Nice truck, but definitely need the V6 vortec, it makes it so much more fun to drive. Rough in the snow without 4wd

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  2002 S10 - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Heaston - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Exceptional Vehicle! Not one problem. One of the nicest vehicles Ive owned.

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  S-10 2.2 liter engine LB - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By sssmmm - March 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the truck for nine years and last year I had to spend $1200 on head gasket. Windshield wipers work occaisonaly. Hauls loads fine, just wish the mechanical systems were up to the quality of Japanese automakers.