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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My Chevrolet Truck S-10 - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
By Joe Sarazen - December 20 - 2:00 amI bought this vehicle used. It served me for four years, but now I would like to turn it in for a new model.
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Nice Truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
By John Stewart - December 20 - 2:00 amI love my S10 crewcab. I pull a boat and carry four people in the truck. The truck has plent of power and is fun to drive. I love this truck.
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what a piece of junk - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
By tbirdfive0 - December 19 - 2:00 amI bought this truck in 2001. It had 80,000 miles on it when i bought it. I have hated it ever since. I have replaced: starter, fuel pump, and many gaskets. It had left me stranded multiple times and the locks ice up every time the temp drops below 20. The tranny grinds when put into 1st gear. This truck has been nothing but a headache.... and the clutch as a squeek that i cant find.
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Great small 4X4 - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
By BobnSue - December 16 - 2:00 amThis S-10 LS has been a pleasure to own... especially after previously owning a Nissan Pathfinder. The only problem in over two years of driving this S-10 has been an occasion oil drip. The dealer replaced some gaskets under warranty, but it still dripps once in awhile. The 4X4s suspension is stiff so the ride is a bit rough on bumpy roads. The bucket seats could also use some better padding. Its a great winter vehicle for our snow in the western NY area!
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poor gas mileage - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
By rudedog - December 13 - 2:00 amthe poor gas mileage is worst thing about this truck for only having 6-cyl. i get about 180 miles on a full tank.
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im surprised - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
By elijah - December 9 - 2:00 amcurrently have 16000 miles and am still happy
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Lots of toys for the $$ - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
By krylos2 - December 9 - 2:00 amWhat can I say in 700 Characters?? ZR-2 without decals! xfer from W.Va. to Va. swiped 4WDtires. Interior light on-other dealer (Fl) fixed it,said tires switched. Orig. dealer corrected. 4k Fuel gauge problems.Right signal on constant. 10k Driver sill replaced. Fuel gge fixed. All work done under warranty. Still cant complain. We love it! Wish could get GF let me drive more. Crew Cab, with hard tonneau 18-19s fine (vs.11-14 on 3500Crew). Almost got the Dodge V8 (14 MPG), couldnt begin justify the 5k in price! Would we buy another? YES WE WOULD! 1 complmnt/wk. Whod have thought?
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great truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
By s10 - December 6 - 2:00 ami own a buss. and this is my dual duty truck as work and personal veh.at 100000 miles i put about 300.00 worth of parts it (besides the blown rear for overweight towing 5000lbs up to 8000lbs (iknow) REAR was a 900.00 repair,and a trip to nebraska towing a trailer w/car 5700lbs plus my stuff total trip 3000miles 2000 miles in 4wd and 19 mpg
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sucks to buy used - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
By leigh - December 3 - 2:00 amthe salesperson told me that a complete tune up was done, tires had recently been put on, and that the truck was cleaned inside and out except the glove compartment which at the time the handle was broken. WRONG!!!!! i paid $3ooo from the dealer, in the three months i had to put new tires (recently done-right) $250, new battery $75, new starter $110, new u- joints $150, and basic tune upandthat the work i did, the dealer had to put a new timing chain, which cost me $650 all in all for a new (to me) truck that was supposed to cost $3000, it has cost me another $1300.tough lesson to learn
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Three Door Pickup - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
By Proud S10 owner - November 30 - 2:00 amI have had Chevy S-10 pickup trucks for over 10 years. And It was time for a new vehicle of course I had to get a third Chevy S-10. My first two S-10s I put over 300,000 miles on them. And am looking forward to putting 200,000 miles on this one.
