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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  Great Value! - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By John Hendrickson - June 24 - 2:00 am

  The truck I bought was really a compromise between my wife and I, she wanted an SUV - I wanted a pickup bed. Adding a shell gave us both what we wanted. We have a larger cargo area than most SUVs, the short rear doors open wide, which makes it nice when putting a baby in a carseat with a car parked next to you. It came standard with items like a bedliner, mats, CD & cass radio and even luxury items like remote entry and foglights. The compass/temp. is handy also, and the 4x4 is awesome. The design of the truck is clean, the layout is thought out and the initial quality has been supurb! We needed more room for the carseat - weve gotten that and more!

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  First Chevrolet Owned - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By stroudt - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I have always owned Ford trucks. The last one being a 1997 Ranger. When I began shopping, I honestly wanted a Dakota. But the $3000 rebate and the big 4.3 six cyl lured me into a S10. I am soooooooooo glad that I chose the Chevy. After driving a 4 cyl Ranger for 4 years the Chevy was quite a performance improvement. Fuel economy has been better than advertised. There are so many little "extras" with regard to creature comfort and convenience features that Ford or Dodge just do not offer.

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  great power from the 4.3L - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By riano - June 20 - 2:00 am

  This truck is everything I hoped it would be. The reliability is still to be determined, since Ive only owned the truck for a month. I do know, however, that the mail trucks in my town all have S-10 engines and transmissions and are VERY reliable. This tows at least 4,000 lbs. with no problem. No defects as far as I could see. Great power without sacrificing too much gas mileage. Both interior and exterior are stylish, if not a little conservative. Great comfort. Maybe a little too much wind noise on highway. Overall great buy for the money.

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  Wont buy another - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Gordie - June 15 - 2:00 am

  I liked the truck when I first got it, but have had nothing but problems. Moldings, window and door seals had to be replaced. Security system wouldnt let truck start, loose control arm bolts, now Im having problem with noisy rear shocks and clunking transmission. I am also having problems with the 2wd/4wd electronic shifting. It is shifting on its own and having electronic problems.

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  Great Trucks - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By LK - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Very Handy Truck, Holds a lot more than it looks like, easy to get around, fun to drive, sporty looking, good milage, no problems with it, all options nessasary are standard,

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  Maintenance nightmare - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By jrhickey - June 11 - 2:00 am

  I have put 2 alternators, 3 batteries, a power brake booster, an air conditioner compresser/dryer, a wiper motor, a signal flasher, a water pump, a thermostat, a passenger side mirror, and a rearview mirror. Not to mention the normal stuff like brakes, tires, alignment, filters, and fluids. I just turned 80,000 miles. That is only about 16,000 per year. NEVER EVER AGAIN will I buy an S-10 anything. JRH

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  Sweet Truck - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Tex - June 10 - 2:00 am

  ZR2 is the best light duty 4x4 available

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  These little trucks are worth it! - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By buying another s10 - June 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had my S-10 for six years. And I love my little truck. I put 100,000 miles on it and then had to start putting real $ into it. These trucks are worth the money you put into them. I am so pleased with my 94 that I am purchasing another one.

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  My Red Tonka Toy - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By 2002chevycrew - June 6 - 2:00 am

  This size and style of a truck fits my life style and kids. No its not the roomiest but its a compact truck not full size..

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  questionable...... - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By big stank - June 3 - 2:00 am

  i hate to say it but i do have worries about my truck sometimes. its a great truck when it works.i bought it usedfrom a guy i know and it was in great condition - it was at 96500 miles and ran great till about 98000.at 98 i to drop a new starter in the new thing.soon after i put that in my service engine light came on. after copule of oxygen cencors it ran great to 100,000 miles where know it sits at the shop waiting a new trany cause it had a trans fulid leak.after visteding many trans shops almost every guy i talked to made it sounded very common. and other then my low lock not working now i hope i dont have any problems.good luck with yours