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:

• 

  THE BEST LITTLE TRUCK IN TEXAS - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By D P III - October 27 - 1:00 am

  Im over six foot tall and the low seating that some may complain about is a plus for tall people. The funnest truck to drive. Guages are positioned nicely and the worst gas mileage I have received from my S-10 is 19mpg for city driving. Thats awesome.

• 

  94 Chevy S10 LS - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By bcollins - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I just got this truck and already i am excited and having lots of with it, i love the truck it was worth every dime i think.

• 

  Last Chevrolet truck Ill buy - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jeff&his Pile of %$# - October 24 - 2:00 am

  Was a great truck for the 1st year I owned it, then Look out. Right around that 100,000km mark EVERYTHING went. clutch,balljoints,idlerarm,ujoints, starter,tyerod ends,oil- coolerlines,Interior parts are cheap and rattle like crazy. in 2yrs spent around $4k in Maintanence. Dont really want to but gonna go Honda next. Try to be supportive in the big 3, but Iam going broke trying to keep this thing running.

• 

  S10 - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By s10user - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Truck has been very reliable. 2WD 4.6 191 hP LACKS POWER to head off road but makes a great in-town small truck.

• 

  They dont make them like this anymore - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ryan Yinkey - October 22 - 2:00 am

  This is an extremly nice truck, it has more then enough power to tow a heavy load and accerate like you wouldnt believe with the 4.3L. Its a very reliable truck and will do anything you ask it. Extremly reliable, weve had this truck for about 9 years and still runs like its brand new. Take care of this truck and it will take care of you

• 

  Poor Workmanship!!! - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By $$ALL GONE - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Wont go into the mpg issue, thats already been covered. All Ive got to say is its a terrible shame chevy has no pride in its design or quality of its trucks, I had 97 full size chevy and loved it, good quality etc.. On the new s-10 the interior looks and feels like its made from the plastic from a kids toy! I cant even begin to tell you how cheap it looks and feels. Dont waste your $$$

• 

  2002 S-10 crew cab - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By gph - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Its all the truck I need and has the the ability to be a car when I need it.

• 

  Lots of Fun packed into a Small Package - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Brocnizer - October 8 - 2:00 am

  She maybe small, but dont let the looks deceive you. I put around 25,000 miles a year on this truck with current mileage of 127,000 and it has yet to see the shop. Dont think that I baby it either. She pulls a 6,000 pound boat atleast once per week and deals with stop and go traffic every week day. The Vortec V-6 is the absolute perfect match, suprising all those that drive it and watch it work. I usually get a comment at the boat ramp from someone telling me that my truck wont be able pull the boat up the steep launch ramp, and boy are they supprised when they see it come out without any wheel spin.

• 

  The best I ever had - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By lunar - September 24 - 2:00 am

  This truck was the best thing that I have ever bought. Had the V6 with some performance parts with the 5 speed manual. This was a very fast truck.

• 

  Dont Buy a ZR-2 - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Frenum - September 23 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been a disappointment. Although it looks like a rugged offroad vehicle, it is still a weak S-10 underneath. To have any significant performance, several aftermarket engine mods (intake, exhaust) are required. The oversized tires put too much stress on the undersigned suspension, leading to frequent ball joint replacements, as well as idler, pitman arms, cv joints, etc. The springs quickly sag, and the small wheel wells will rub against the tires when turning. I am trading in my truck after 36,000 miles, with almost $3,000 in repairs.