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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  Transmission & Wiring Disaster - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By disgusted - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Automatic transmission problems one mile from dealer after purchase new at Lou Wollam Chevrolet. Dealer unable to fix after 8 visits. Went to another Chevrolet dealer who told me the vehicle was unsafe to drive. This dealer replaced the transmission under warranty at 3000 miles. Numerous problems with wiring shorted out causing complete failure to operate.

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  00 S-10 Review - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Cuevl - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Chevy S-10 pickup based on the experiences I have heard from friends and family. It has lived up to it reputiation for being reliable and economical. The 4-cyl engine is not the strongest but very efficient. I dont pull trailers or haul heavy things on a regular basis, it is all light duty work that I have done and the Chevy S-10 has worked out perfectly for the job. I also have taken a few trips and have enjoyed the high mpg. I have not had any problems and plan to have the truck for a while!

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  What a horrible Piece of Junk! - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By Hate thisTruck - May 28 - 2:00 am

  I have owned over 20 vehicles in my life but this is the worst by far (and I owned a Pinto). I bought this truck new - LS 4x4, auto, cruise etc. I maintain the vehicle very well and dont drive it hard at all. Things that have broken under warranty (towed to dealer 5 times under warranty) Battery, radio, fuel pump, door misadjusted and wore paint off jamb,front end part wore and car wouldnt track straight. And then - under my cost - fuel pump $725, oil cooler line $600, intake mannifold gasket $600, hydralic lifter failure $650, All service parts are expensive (its cheaper to fix my BMW 540) I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM MADE VEHICLE IN MY LIFE.

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  Love my S10 - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By BugMan - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought it for commercial pest control vehicle, used around town and regularly haul 800 pounds and it handles the load no problem. Zero factory defects and more than I expected. The four cylinder engine isnt a hot rod, but it gets the job done. Very comfortable seats and the ride is fantastic, more like a car than truck. Very good Interstate road vehicle and nimble around town. Air Conditioner works fantastic. I dont understand the reviews saying it looks cheap inside, it looks good to me. I drove all the small trucks and got the best deal on the Chevy plus I liked it more. I drove other brands for 40 years and this is my first Chevy truck. Guarantee it wont be my last. I love it.

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  Best 1st Car! - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By isocom79 - May 21 - 2:00 am

  This was the best and most fun car i have ever driven!

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  2000 s10 review - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By mike leach - May 18 - 2:00 am

  i have had very good luck with this vehicle. There have been no problems with it so far. I am very well pleased.

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  Having second thoughts - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By luckydog1 - May 13 - 2:00 am

  Truck has MANY fit a finish problems. Seals and moldings around doors and windows are crooked, or have chunks missing. Im having a MAJOR problem right now with the Passkey security system. After a month of running fine, the security system keeps shutting off the gas to the engine and sometimes it takes me over an hour to get the truck to start. I just took it in last night for the dealers 2nd chance on taking care of that problem. I think that they will have it awhile, but they provided me with a nice loaner car. Up until the starting problem, I really LOVED the Truck. Now Im having second thoughts about buying it..

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  You Get What You Pay For - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Austinite - May 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2000 S-10 LS Reg Cab, Short Bed for around $14K. It has the Vortec V6 engine. I couldnt be happier. Ive had a couple of rattles here and there but functionally the truck has been great. Would I have been happier with a Toyota, Mazada, etc? Assuming those are better overall trucks, which cost more, probably not. Price was an important issue for me. I would recommend buying an S-10 to a friend.

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  2001 Chevy S10 LS Extended Cab 2WD - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By NorthCaliGuy707 - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I drive approximately 1000 miles per week in my S10. Its a 4 cylinder and gets about 23 mpg on average. So far Ive been somewhat happy with the truck. The 4 cylinder is very underpowered for the mountain driving I do. The brakes have been completely replaced twice. New tires at 37k. New transmission at 39k. The tailgate does not stay latched and does not line up correctly with the bed. The window weather stripping has been replaced because kept falling off. The fuel gauge is not always accurate. It is sometimes off by a quarter of a tank.

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  Best pick-up Ive had in years - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Dave Simon - May 7 - 2:00 am

  This is the best pickup Ive ever had. I go through everything with it. I go up in the mountains about every month and its a very smooth ride. I can go anywhere I go camping with the truck also.