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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  Lil white - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By ford man - June 3 - 3:52 pm

  This truck is very reliable and fast. The 4.3 is a great engine. I hate Chevy but this one has done good. Its at 197,000 miles and still strong as ever. However bad gas mileage has hurt me a little. Over all good reliable truck. With bad paint. And can beat a V8 Mustang

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  Overall a good truck - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Nick - April 30 - 7:35 am

  I bought this truck about a year and a half ago with 100,000k on it but Ive owned an S-series vehicle before, so the mileage didnt bother me. Ive driven it almost 40,000 miles so far and I really dont have any complaints. I only had to replace the MAF sensor and heater core, and Ive done everything from auto-crossing to drag racing with it. Ive put it through its paces thousands of times and it hasnt given up on me yet. It is definitely a truck that is decently easy to work on if something goes wrong. Ive averaged around 20-21 mpg driving 50% city/highway. Its decent for a v6 truck.

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  Nice Expensive Truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Nik - April 12 - 11:06 pm

  This is a nice truck. I like the bed size. I seem to have a three door, extended cab, long bed truck with a 4.3L 6 cylinder engine. I am told that this was never manufactured. The gas milage is not great. I average about 20 miles highway, but only about 17 city. In the winter I put sand bags over the wheels (rear wheel drive) and that hurts the milage even more. Have had a lot of repairs. Two air pumps, air pump check valves (only once though), starter (I think its going again), front shocks, alternator, handle to third door three times (broken right now), and battery. Ive had to truck 2 1/2 years, bought it 12/2005 with 6,000 miles, it has 36,000 on it now. Its had a full brake job too.

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  Good ol truck, but still helps - 1990 Chevrolet S-10
  By toyoracing2008 - March 30 - 6:18 pm

  Good truck. Its been dependable as can be for it being almost 17 years old. But, compared to other vehicles of different brands, the metal used for the body was very poor, the bed panel rusted out and now theres a gaping hole, the bottom of the doors have rusted, as has the left door jams. I love the truck, but I still think chevy could have done better even with the new S10s, I mean, come on, it has only .3 liters less than Fords 4.6 V8, and yet only around 200 horses? I love my truck, enough said..

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  Great buy - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By darko789 - March 18 - 7:15 am

  I have put 120000 miles on since I bought it. Has yet to let me down. 4.3 has all the power I will ever need. Gets decent mpgs. It has been a great truck for me.

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  Not so bad - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By alfred - February 19 - 12:05 pm

  Hello friends, I am the owner of a 2002 3 door 4 cyl s-10 with 85000 miles. I bought it new, downsizing from a 8cyl Silverado. This is not a powerful truck. it is meant for light use. It literally has trouble going uphill. Ive had to replace the battery, radiator and the a/c died at 75k miles and I have not fix it yet. I think that I have gotten good service from it, I am happy with it so far. I am getting 20 mpg plus. Anyway, I recommend this truck if you are not pulling or loading it with heavy items. Good luck!

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  Leave well enough alone! - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By mixerman1972 - January 26 - 7:29 am

  I love my S10. It has never given me any mechanical problems except sensors and the fuel pump, but being 14 yrs old and having 178000 miles, I think that is excellent! There is very little rust and I live in the north east. The mileage is at best 16mpg on the road, around town its about 12mpg. This truck has only left me stranded once, that is when the fuel pump went. The truck is fantastic in the mud and has a very comfortable ride

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  Good little truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By GregS73 - November 12 - 7:19 pm

  For a 4 cylinder, its got a nice little bit of pep taking off, but after 3rd gear the torque numbers drop dramatically, mainly because of the gearing. Good truck for a commuter, and can also hold its own when youve got the bed loaded down. Ive hauled anything from four wheelers to 900 pounds of rocks in the back of it and she never falters.

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  My S10 - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ryan Robinson - October 24 - 1:19 am

  Very low operation cost. Dependable and inexpensive to insure. Adequately powered relatively comfortable for short commutes. Attractive and handles nimbly.

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  96 Chevy S-10 - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By theman - October 16 - 5:13 pm

  Very mechanically sound vehicle. Owned for 8 years, with very few repairs other than normal wear and tear. Would recommend this vehicle to anyone who wants a reliable truck that gets good gas mileage.