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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  Good Truck! - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Bmore Ravens fan - January 17 - 2:00 am

  Been almost a year and has been a great truck. Only problems has been some fit and finish issues but been reliable transport. Great 4wheeling on the beach and tailgating vehicle. Added Yakima roof rack for the bike and a hitch. Seems to have more interior room then a Toyota or Nissan. 4.3L has great low end torque. Great price and its got everything I need and more.

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  Sweet Trucks - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Gomer Pile - January 14 - 2:00 am

  S-10s are awesome little trucks, especially the 4.3 with a five speed. These things are verry quick for compact trucks. Quick, nimble, good gas mileage, looks good doing it. This particular truck has the ZQ8 suspension package and an SS motor. Also it has been lowered and has performance shocks and tires to enhance its qualitys.

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  never again - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Stuckwithit - January 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck brand new in 95 and have had nothing but problems since. At 1,500 miles the fan clutch broke. The Manual trans. clutch laid over and died at 2,500 miles. Now 2 transmission jobs, A few U-joints, several hundred dollars worth of A/C repairs, 1 broken timing chain, and a total engine rebuild later, I am fed up with this underpowed piece of crap. I will never buy another S-10.

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  GOOD BUT CRAMPED - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By orchunter - January 12 - 2:00 am

  A good small truck,the 4x4 is a very nice option not to be without. This truck has always been up to any challange that I came up with!.

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  Dam nChevy POS - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By memyselfandI - January 6 - 2:00 am

  What a rude awakening. I have been driving Chevys all my life and I will never buy another. The paint job sucks. I tried to haul a carpet (yes a Carpet), and it really scratched up my paint job. I returned to my dealer to complain and was told that it was not warranted and that Chevy would call it excessive wear. Hauling a carpet is excessive? it is a pickup right. Anyway, after 4 phone calls and numerous threats to sue GM they finally agreed to fix it. All they did was spray some touch up paint on it and then wouldnt even give me the damn warranty receipt. The Morale of the story is to NEVER, EVER, Buy a Chevy.

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  Nice Truck - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By N2deeptn - December 31 - 2:00 am

  Got a 3 year lease. I have never had to put it in the shop for anything. Nothing has been replaced in 3 years of daily driving, not even the tires.

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  Stray away from this lemon - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By dont buy gm - December 30 - 2:00 am

  What 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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  Its not a full size truck. - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By e_mac - December 30 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is what it is. Its a compromise between a truck and a mid size car. It provides adequate hauling and carrying capability with the V6 yet it is economical to operate if you drive a lot. The vehicle could benefit from a slight lift to make it look a little more muscular, much like Nissan did with their 2WD pickups. Other than that the truck has been a solid performer so much so that I would likely by another or more likely the new Colorado due to replace it.

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  s-10 evaluation - 1990 Chevrolet S-10
  By oogabooga - December 29 - 2:00 am

  its cool

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  great truck - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By hotrodrigue - December 22 - 2:00 am

  One guy in this review wrote that everything went out by 100k miles. Hes either lost his mind or got chevy mixed up with his ford. Maybe a lemon, who knows, but this truck and engine has got me through a lot without many probs. Besided spark plugs and wires, the engine is perfect. Ive had probs with my rear end only because I lifted the truck and put 31" tires on it. I had to put a geared down rear end and change my clutch at 120k miles which is amazing for pulling the big inboard outboard boat and turning those big tires. I have 125k miles on this truck and cant complain. I hope my next Chevy treats me as good as this one did........Great Truck.