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:

• 

  a little truck - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Dwight Squires - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Easy to drive and park, very useful for moving things. Have used it for 10 or 15 moves.

• 

  Mistake - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By JmusicB - July 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car because it was what I could afford at the time. I should have held out. The four cylider egine is way too small, I live in a relatively flat town and it struggles going up the slightest rise in the road. Since I have had it, I have replaced the third door handle, seat adjuster 3 times, Door Molding, Both window seals, and next week I am replacing the suspension system. The ride is smooth on the open road, but I think they put it together with duct tape and bailing wire.

• 

  Sor Far SO GOOD!! - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By gr8wit - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had this truck for a month but so far I am very happy, Build quality is very good and it rides better than the Ranger I had. Also the interior is roomy for a regular cab and I get some lookers. It is a black stepside. Nice to have full gauges, leather steering wheel, alloy wheels, AC, a CD and more goodies for a GREAT PRICE! I really bought this cause I wanted it, not needed it and even wife wife likes it.(and she drives a BMW). It does have its short commings. Next time I will get the 6, the 4 just doesnt cut it, and the darn arm rest/storage box doesnt lock. When you put it up all the stuff falls out! But not bad for the price.

• 

  Smart Buy! - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By chevman - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I have had this truck for 3 years now and have loved every minute of it. I bought the truck from a friend with 13,xxx miles on it and I am yet to experience any problems. Everything inside and out of the truck is placed well and I cant complain about any of the mechanical fetures either. Overall, I give it a 10.

• 

  Always does its job - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By mahog - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought my truck in 96 to travel back and forth to college. Its always been reliable, does well on the highway and can be used to do so many different things. I cant count the number of times people have asked to borrow my truck. Ill keep it until the wheels fall off.

• 

  A nice truck for the money - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By e8retired91 - July 20 - 2:00 am

  I owned this truck for 35 months and never had a mechanical problem, rattle, or anything...period. It looks sharp and gets considerable attention from young folks. However, because the suspension is lowered 2 inches from the factory and comes with wide (235) tire it does ride rough even for a truck. The 4.3L, 180HP V-6 has a fair amount of power but its not a drag racer its more like a boulevard cruiser. The extended cab is a nice feature with the 3rd door, but dont expect anybody to sit back there for very long...just use it to stow your stuff. This truck doesnt pretend to be anything but a minimal factory custom and I enjoyed it for a few years.

• 

  Reliable, Not Flashy - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By BMFARMER - July 19 - 2:00 am

  The styling might be tiered but the dependability is wide awake. The body panels fit perfectly while the 4.3L 6 cylinder provides plenty of pep for the automatic trans. The payload and towing limits are sufficient for routine household requirements while the fuel efficiency is much better than expected.

• 

  unreliable - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By K. Griffith - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Within 6 months after purchasing this vehicle, I had to replace the leaf springs. This was covered under warranty, of course. I have had to replace so many things on this truck that I cant remember everything. Over the last 1 1/2 yrs., I have had to replace the starter twice. Thus far, there have been 3 different starters on this 4 yr old truck. No one can figure out what the problem is. These starters are under warranty however, a warranty does not replace the amount of time that goes into taking off work and hauling the truck every 6 months to have a new starter put on.

• 

  Lemon - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By beenLemonized - July 12 - 2:00 am

  My first truck was a 4 cyl manual s-10 that I owned for a year with no problems. My second one was a 1996 4.3 v6 LS that needed a rebuilt transmission. I purchased another one in 98 and I have had to replace: Starter Turn signal flasher Drive shaft AC compressor Dryer Water pump Tensioner arm Power Booster Whenever I bring it in for service the mechanic is never surprised. A $20,000 truck should be FAR more reliable than the s-10. I have contacted General Motors several times about the reliability of this truck and they have ignored ALL of my correspondence.

• 

  Great 4x4 truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By REDI - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Good solid riding and handling truck. Got 19 MPG average on an 80mph trip to Colorado from California and back. Traveled 160 miles of dirt roads across N. Nevada deserts with no problems.