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:

• 

  This one is my Second 91 S10 pickup - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By Proud S10 owner - September 21 - 2:00 am

  This makes my second 91 S10 pickup. My first one I bought new in 90. The only reason I got ride of it was I moved to a big city and was told I did not need it. I could kick myself for not keeping it. First one I had not one problem with it kept her 5 years. This one I have had 5 years she has over 200,000 miles on her and she is still going. Wouldnt trade for anything else but maybe a new one. I have done everything from halling rocks to making long road trips in her. Other then general maintance she has been a wonderful automobile.

• 

  i love it so far - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By zinger - September 21 - 2:00 am

  sharp looking truck and i love the interior, fast acceleration , great braking, easy to service. had 36000 on it when i bought it , now for the bad part, dealerships service department was a joke because they missed most of the grease zerks when they serviced it prior to delivery....GLAD I DO MY OWN WORK!, passenger side seat rattles on rough roads , ash tray is useless, paint prone to chipping on rocker panels.

• 

  badasstruck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By loolite - September 15 - 2:00 am

  it is a great truck. i have 100,000 miles on and it runs lake brandnew.i drive it every chance i get to.buy a chevy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

• 

  CHEVY S10 - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By JOHN TORRES - September 13 - 2:00 am

  THIS TRUCK IS TO SMALL AND SHOULD ONLY BE FOR SMALL PEOPLE

• 

  Great Truck! - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By toolman - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I just got this truck after looking at blazers, jeeps, pathfinders and more. I wanted something with four doors, 4 wheel drive, and room to haul "stuff" around. I ended up chooseing the S10 Crew Cab because it essentially has the same room for 5 passengers as the smaller SUVs. With the box and the added custom topper I have almost as much room as my old Van when the third seat was removed (Windstar - not sad to see that go!) Possibly more! I needed more towing power, and didnt want something that was going to kill me at the gas pump. So far I love the truck! Time will tell.

• 

  Extremely Reliable - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jo Mama - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Lots of rust and failing hardware items- - but all that could be attributable to previous owner(s) since I bought this used in Feb 2000. Despite its blemishes and minor hardware defects, it runs like a champ (its had to jumpstart my 1998 Astro countless times) and the A/C blows cold!!

• 

  Low Price for Excellent Quality - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By squire46 - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Chevrolet made an excellent small truck in 1997. The mechanical and structural aspects have stood the test of time. The engine and drive train have aged nicely without any major repairs. The engines hummes the same way as when I first bought it. It is an excellent vehicle for someone with light duty chores, but at the same time offers a smoother ride than more sedans.

• 

  I love my truck - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By Chris Grizzard - September 4 - 2:00 am

  This is a very nice truck its small and has alot of power for a V6 its also a great truck to customize from body kits to rims to dropping in 350 small blocks its a awsome truck

• 

  S10 Tahoe Regular Cab - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By JohnnyP - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Nice truck. good fuel economy. V6 not a good engine. looks good runs good. cant hold 300 pounds without bottoming out.

• 

  S-10 - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Mac Daddy - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Can very relible and can take a beating.No matter how much u abuse the truke it will keep on running stong.