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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  1999 S-10 ZR-2 5-Speed - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By Very Pleased - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Best vehicle Ive ever owned. Zero defects from the factory and a grand total of ONE in three years. I liked it so much I bought a ZR-2 Blazer for my girlfriend.

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  1999 S-10 ZR-2 5-Speed - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Very Pleased - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Ill be 50 this year and this is easily the best built vehicle I have ever owned. It came from the factory with zero defects and with three years of use in Anchorage, Alaska, which isnt the easiest climate on vehicles, it had a whopping total of one defect in three years. Excellent job Chevy.

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  perfect - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ed Mccaffery - March 24 - 2:00 am

  its awesome

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  Very Reliable & Inexpensive Lil Truck - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Daniel Brown - March 20 - 2:00 am

  I realize that there are better trucks out there, but for the price that I purchase my truck new 5 years ago at $11,000 I have no regrets. My little S-10, stripped w/no original extras, has been a blessing. I have had no problems whatsoever, which is good because I am not mechanically incline, with it and I currently have 110,000 miles on it. The only real drawback is that the 4cyl does not have much power-but hey, I get above 25mpg!

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  Not Much Trouble - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By fabiant - March 18 - 2:00 am

  I had very little trouble with this vehicle. I have had it for three years and the only thing I can honestly say that I didnt like was that the seat lever for moving the seats forward and back broke several times with minimal force on them. Once while under warrenty and both sides broke after warrenty period. They make them out of pot metal and that stuff is worthless!! I think the levers should have been a recall item!

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  I love my ZR2 - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By packer - March 18 - 12:30 am

  This truck is great. I have had it now for almost 9 months, and have no complaints. The ZR2 wide stance looks great. The V6 feels smooth and powerful. I searched out a bought a 5 speed because they are much more fun to drive, and get slightly better gas mileage. I may have to sell it though because I just found out we are having twins.

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  S10 Xtreme - Extremly frustrating - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By Delfim - March 17 - 7:30 pm

  S10 Xtreme has the worst quality I have ever seen on a car. A mosquito is enough to break the body paiting. The suspension makes noises since first the day Ive got the car from the dealer (0 miles).

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  S10, LS Reg Cab SB, V-6, Auto - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By BL - March 10 - 10:15 am

  The only negative is the rough ride with empty bed.

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  Good Car - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By Scottman - March 7 - 9:31 pm

  This is my first car and it is great. It gets me from point A to B every time. Starts every single time I turn the key. Beat it up a lot and it kept on going (165000 miles on this thing and still going)

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  2002 Crew Cab - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By ziggypop - March 7 - 9:08 am

  My wife and I really enjoy this vehicle, it has come in handy on 2 or 3 occations when the local weather has been nasty. A fun vehicle to drive