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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  OK Truck - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By TW - May 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive had a 2000 4WD S-10 for about 30 months and have no complaints. Got a fairly good deal on it from the local Chevy store. Rides and drives with high degree of comfort and stability. I added shades over the side windows which upped the wind noise considerably. Have gotten over 25 mpg on long highway trips. It has been a good investment so far.

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  Great Engine, but everything else... - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By solid - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my S-10 about 2 years ago from a friend. Ive put about $3500 into repairs in 2 years. The engine on the truck is great, but everything else seems to break down constantly. Had major problems with the fuel pump, brake booster, O2 sensors, and the front axel. The roof leaks very bad, and both door switches broke about a month after I got it. The washer fluid bin started leaking as well as the transmission fluid pan. Brakes have been a very big hassle also. The truck is very comfortable to drive, but thats about it. All in all I will NEVER ever buy another S-10.

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  Great Truck - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By cbb8490 - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought by S-10 new and have put 90,000 miles on it in 3 years.I have put this truck through some hard driving and have had no problems at all. With the 2.2L I obvioulsly dont have the power but I knew that before I bought the truck. The only problem I have had is the reclining lever has broke on both seats but that seems to be the case with most reviews, I agree this should be a recall and GM should replace the contraption all together. But an overall great ride and dependable. The is my 2nd S-10 I also had a 97 that I put 60,000 miles on. I would not hesitate to buy another. But I think I will go with the 4.3L next time.

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  Bunch of Crap from Coggins Chevrolet - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By WilliamRFranklin - April 30 - 2:00 am

  The truck is not a very reliable truck I"ve had nothing but trouble from it and the quality of work from the the Dealer (Coggins Chevrolet in kissimmee Fl.) has been a real piece of work My seat lumbar busted t 27000. miles and they used bailing wire and wire ties to put it back together. I put in for brakes and a oil change and they tore into my dash a week latter I had to put a new battery and altnator in go figure right

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  So far, So good... - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By CDSweet - April 29 - 2:00 am

  I have owned the Crew Cab S-10 for almost 2 months now and so far it has been a real value/dollar spent. After all the incentives it was the best deal on the market for a truck that can seat a family of four and ft in my garage. The only things I didnt like about the truck I fixed shortly after buying it. The OEM 15" alloy wheels that Chevrolet puts on all their 4x4 S- Series trucks are looking a little dated. The window tint should include all windows and not just the back ones. And last, and the most annoying to me is the Air Bag shutoff switch? Why on Earth would they remove this option from just this model? Shocked me a little.. Dean

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  s-10 s should last till the end of time - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By 2kchevy - April 26 - 2:00 am

  If your looking to buy a truck to keep forever an s-10 is a good pick. Reability in 2.2l is a little more depenable than the 4.3l. The 2.2l s- 10 is close to the depenablity of a toyato. Any 2.2l should be good for your money either way. Parts are much cheaper on the domestic trucks!!

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  2002 Chevrolet S10 Ext Cab - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Keith Kenyon - April 23 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is the worst new vehicle I have ever purchased. During my 3 month and 1700 mile ownership, I have had the following issues, replaced rear light harness, replaced rear end carrier bearing, replaced rear springs, replaced engine/transmission mount (3X), repainted both rocker panels, and numerous squeaks and rattles. I have had this vehicle in for service six seperate times and the truck has less than 1800 miles.

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  1992 S10 EXT. CAB - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By POST - April 22 - 2:00 am

  THIS PU HAS BEEN A HIGHWAY TRUCK. EXCELLENT COND. INSIDE AND OUT. APPROX. 50000 MILES AGO A NEW GMAC ENGIN WAS INSTALLED AND THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. NEARLY NEW TIRES. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY RELIABLE VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED.

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  My New S-10 Crew Cab - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By TSimpson - April 21 - 2:00 am

  This S-10 has been very reliable, good handling capabilities, great "go anywhere" capability, suspension is very good for its class, very good fuel economy (23-27hwy & 17-19city), plenty of power for its class. Cons on this vehicle are: cheap finishes...trim, paint, and fitting of interior parts. Vehicle has very poor turning radius.

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  If you like small.... - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By nappy - April 20 - 2:00 am

  If you like small this is the truck for you. It has mre interior room than a ranger but when your used to a Blazer, there is no fun in a two seater pick- up. Reliable to a point, but keep an eye on alternator, A/c, and belts. Very strong little engine likes to get moving, after a little persuasion. If you are a mini truckin fan these are the standard of the crowd, very easy on gas if your on the highway often. But remember, not livable if you get easily bored by just one friend coming along for the ride.