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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  Nice Truck - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Eg - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my S-10 in 2000 and have had no problems to date with it. Regular oil and maintence changes are all that has been required. Fuel economy is excellent. The interior could use some upgrading, but if you use your truck alot in dirty conditions its easy to clean.

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  Big Red Review - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Big Red - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The ZR-2 package makes for a nice looking vehicle. My problems to date have been with build quality. Things seem to fit together poorly and the paint had a major factory flaw that I didnt notice until I brought the vehicle home. GM would not stand behind it and the BBB Arbitration process is a joke.

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  new truck - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By momof3 - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I drove Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma crew cabs. Chevy had more ammenities standard, and I got a better appointed truck for less price. The back seat comfort in all the trucks I drove was limited, but adequate. I got 19.6 mpg on my 2nd tank of gas (mixed city & hwy driving)

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  LAST OF THE GOOD LOOKIN SMALL TRUCKS! - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By ddonn315 - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck new in 93, replacing my 82 S-10 long bed. It has the 2.8L v-6, which consistently gets 26mpg back and forth to work. It has the manual 5-speed, which makes you feel like youre driving a much larger truck. This is the last year they made the S-10 with the traditional truck styling, all the chrome, and accent strips, etc. Everytime I have the truck out someone will inevitably say to me, what a nice lookin truck! I wish I had a nickel for every time someone has complimented me on my little red truck! It has a great ride, and handles well in the snow.

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  I work for GM so I didnt have a choice. - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Dokken - April 9 - 2:00 am

  The more I drive it the more flaws I find in the interior. Interior plastic looks cheap. Intrument panel pieces have a different shade and grain. Door trim pieces DO NOT MATCH either. I hope I can sell this thing in a couple years and not lose too much money. Buy the extended warranty! V6 is powerful, but a gas hog. Even for a truck!

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  S-10 Extreme - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By Zelmo - March 31 - 2:00 am

  The S-10 extreme has been an exceptional vehicle for its price range. I have put 34000 miles on it since buying it used in 2000. It has only had to have new front brake pads and noting else other than oil changes and filters. It is loaded with accessories and has been great for the price range it is in. It looks great and the interior has held up well. The only problem at all with the vehicle is that it has a 4 cyl. motor that is some what under powered for all the othe features of the vehicle.

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  Great "Tweener" - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By millermt - March 29 - 2:00 am

  I chose the S10 ZR2 because it seemed to have the benefits of both a bigger and smaller truck. Sizewise, it is between compact and full-sized truck thanks to the larger suspension. The 4.3L Vortec V6 produces plenty of power (which you wouldnt get in a compact truck), but still gets decent gas mileage in comparison to the full-sized trucks. Ive put 48000 NJ Turnpike miles on my truck in the 2 years Ive had it, and I havent had any problems. I did get rear-ended at a stop light. The repairs for my truck were $400, whereas the other guys car was totalled.

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  Nothing special- - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By sledheadRX1 - March 27 - 2:00 am

  The acceleration really blows with a 2.2 liter engine. Even with the 5 sp. I am having a hard time pulling a 1500 lb. trailer. Suspension sucked so bad that I had to put on air ride shocks. The interior is very comfortable and the truck rides more like a car than a true truck. Fuel economy should be better than the 20 mpg I am getting. A/C really bogs down the acceleration. Had to spend 3K bucks in extras to get the truck to meet my expectations.

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  Useful Good Value for $ - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jedmunds - March 25 - 2:00 am

  Crew cab while only for people in a pinch is a sound trade off for bed length. Its dry warm place for the dog or what you want to carry and in some cases it is import and becquse it is secure. The bed extender helps hauling capacity but you are doing a little extra tie down on plywood sheets and lumber. The truck rides well and the power plant while it would be great with a tech update that produces more power and better fuel economy moves the truck into traffic. All the accesories are a real value as this vehicle has some heavy discounts making a real value.

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  Chevy S-10 2.2 liter - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By gjc866 - March 25 - 2:00 am

  Truck still running great - Getting better fuel economy and more power as the truck gets more miles on it. Still, an increase in HP would be nice but if youre not planning to race anyone or abuse the vehicle, its great for light duty and gets good gas mileage.