28
0
Compact pickup truck; Built in USA
  • ext. cab
  • reg. cab long bed
  • reg. cab short bed
  • longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,000 – $2,100*


1991 Chevrolet S10 extended cab


1991 Chevrolet S10 regular cab


1991 Chevrolet S10 Baja regular cab


1992 Chevrolet S10 regular cab long bed


1993 Chevrolet S10 4.3-liter V-6 engine

Pros:
  • Acceleration (V6)
  • Payload
Cons:
  • Acceleration (4-cylinder)
  • Control layout

Popular for both work and play, S10 pickups score well against their natural rival, the Ford Ranger, and the availability of the 4.3-liter V6 engine placed the S10 a step ahead of its competition.

Overview

Identical except for badging, Chevrolet S10 and GMC S15 compact pickups held 4-cylinder or V6 engines. On-demand, part-time 4-wheel drive was available on all three sizes: short bed (108.3-inch wheelbase and 6-foot cargo bed), long bed (118-inch wheelbase and 7.5-foot bed), or extended cab (123-inch wheelbase and 6-foot bed). A 3-place bench seat was standard, with bucket seats optional. Extended-cab models also have two folding rear jump seats. Rear-wheel antilock braking had arrived for 1989. An optional electronic instrument cluster used vacuum-fluorescent displays.

Yearly Updates

1991 S10 Pickup
Facelifted as early ’91 models, the S10 pickups had a new grille, wheels, bodyside moldings, and bumper rub strips. Suspension revisions aimed to improve ride quality. Later in 1991, the base 4-cylinder engine added power. GMC replaced the S15 badge on its version with a Sonoma designation this year.
1992 S10 Pickup
Optional pushbutton shifting now was available on 4WD models. Adjustable head restraints were installed on bench seats. Steering wheels had a new 4-spoke design, and the standard speedometer abandoned its hockey-stick shape.
1993 S10 Pickup
Automatic transmissions added electronic shift controls, including a feature that allows second-gear starts for better traction on slippery surfaces. Any model with bucket seats might now be equipped with a central console. The 4.3-liter engine gained an internal balance shaft to reduce vibration.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive

Standard engine in 2WD models was a 92-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. A 2.8-liter V6, rated 125 horsepower, went into 4WD models and was an option for 2WD trucks. A 5-speed manual gearbox was standard with the 4-cylinder and 2.8-liter V6; 4-speed automatic was optional for the 4-cylinder. Pickups might instead have an optional 160-horsepower, 4.3-liter V6, offered only with automatic transmission. On-demand, part-time Insta-Trac 4WD has shift-on-the-fly capability between 2WD and 4WD High. Automatic-locking front hubs were standard with the Insta-Trac system. Previously an option, the 4.3-liter V6 became standard on all 4WD models for 1991, and could be ordered with manual shift for the first time. Four-cylinder engines gained 11 horsepower during the 1991 model year, courtesy of a new intake manifold and cylinder head, and revised exhaust system.

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.8/173
Engine HP 125
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 150
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual

 19/25
ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 4.3/262
Engine HP 160-165
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 230-235
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		18/23
18/24 		16.2
ohv I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.5/151
Engine HP 94-105
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 130-135
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		23/27
20/26 		22.9

Road Test

We prefer V6 engines in an S10, because automatic transmissions rob too much performance from the 4-cylinder. If you definitely must have a 4-cylinder, stick with manual shift. The 2.8-liter V6 is adequate for most 2-wheel-drive requirements, but the brawny 4.3-liter engine sends these trucks to the head of their class for acceleration and towing prowess. A basic long-bed 2WD with the 4.3-liter V6 and automatic averaged about 21.5 mpg. A short bed with the same powertrain but with a Baja 4×4 package averaged just 16 mpg. Rear-wheel ABS improves control in stops, but otherwise, braking power is nothing special.

Extended-cab models have 18.3 cubic feet of storage space behind the front seats (13.7 cubic feet if equipped with optional jump seats, which are large enough only for children). Even when equipped with extra-cost interior trim packages, these pickups tend to feel crude inside, with too many sharp plastic edges and a cheap feel to most controls.

The optional front stabilizer bar improves steering response and reduces body lean in turns. Heavy-duty shock absorbers are also a good idea, cutting down on bouncing and pitching. Analog gauges are standard, and are easier to read than the optional electronic cluster.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1993 Chevrolet S-10 4.3-liter

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 3
30%
Ride Quality - 4
40%
Steering/Handling - 3
30%
Quietness - 3
30%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 4
40%
Room/Comfort Front - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 7
70%

Other

Value - 5
50%

Total: 44

Specifications

ext. cab
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
122.9 192.8 64.7 61.3
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
– 1869 20.0 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.1 NA 42.5 NA
reg. cab long bed
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
117.9 194.2 64.7 61.3
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
– 1902 20.0 3
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.1 NA 42.5 NA
reg. cab short bed
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
108.3 178.2 64.7 61.3
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
– 1886 20.0 3
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.1 NA 42.5 NA
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1993 S-10 reg. cab short bed

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 3
60%
Front Passenger Injury - 2
40%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 80
Injury 107
Theft 73

Trouble Spots

Automatic transmission
Description: 700-R4 automatic transmissions may shift late or not upshift at all. The problem is a stuck throttle valve inside the transmission. (1990-93)

Recall History

1990-92 without air conditioning
Description: Fan blades on 2.5-liter engine can break as a result of fatigue.
1991
Description: Fuel tank sender seal may be out of position.
1991-93 w/4WD and ABS
Description: Increased stopping distances can occur during ABS stops while in 2WD mode.
1993 S10/T10 with folding rear seats
Description: Rear-outboard seatbelt assembly will not release webbing from retracted position.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on June 19, 2014.
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