1990-1993 Chevrolet S10 Pickup Full Review

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Chevrolet S-10. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Chevrolet S-10.

1990-1993 Chevrolet S-10 Pickup Review

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.

Year to Year Changes

1991 Chevrolet S-10: 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 Chevrolet S-10: 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 Chevrolet S-10: 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.

1990-1993 Chevrolet S-10 Pickup Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (V6)	Acceleration (4-cylinder)

Payload	Control layout

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

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 4x4 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.

Value for the Money
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.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Chevrolet S-10 4.3-liter	Rating

Performance	5

Fuel Economy	3

Ride Quality	4

Steering/Handling/Braking	3

Quietness	3

Controls/Materials	4

Interior Room	6

Room/Comfort (rear)	4

Cargo Capacity	7

Value within Class	5

Total:	44

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1990-1993 Chevrolet S-10 Pickup Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

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

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$365

Alternator	$195

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$735

Brakes	$207

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$415

Exhaust System	$335

Radiator	$325

Shocks and/or Struts	$370

Timing Chain or Belt	$205

Universal Joints	$190

NHTSA Recall History

1990-92 without air conditioning: Fan blades on 2.5-liter engine can break as a result of fatigue.

1991: Fuel tank sender seal may be out of position.

1991-93 w/4WD and ABS: Increased stopping distances can occur during ABS stops while in 2WD mode.

1993 S10/T10 with folding rear seats: Rear-outboard seatbelt assembly will not release webbing from retracted position.

1990-1993 Chevrolet S-10 Pickup Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1990
S10 2WD	$1,000-1,400	$600-800	$100
S10 4WD	$1,400-1,700	$900-1,100	$200

1991
S10 2WD	$1,100-1,500	$700-900	$100-200
S10 4WD	$1,500-2,000	$1,000-1,300	$200-300

1992
S10 2WD	$1,200-1,700	$700-1,000	$100-200
S10 4WD	$1,600-2,200	$1,100-1,500	$200-300

1993
S10 2WD	$1,300-1,900	$800-1,200	$200
S10 4WD	$1,700-2,400	$1,100-1,600	$300-400

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1990-1993 Chevrolet S-10 Pickup Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	ext. cab	reg. cab long bed	reg. cab short bed

Wheelbase, in.	122.9	117.9	108.3

Overall Length, in.	192.8	194.2	178.2

Overall Width, in.	64.7	64.7	64.7

Overall Height, in.	61.3	61.3	61.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	3024	2773	2635

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	--	--	--

Standard Payload, lbs.	1869	1902	1886

Fuel Capacity, gals.	20.0	20.0	20.0

Seating Capacity	5	3	3

Front Head Room, in.	39.1	39.1	39.1

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.5	42.5	42.5

Rear Head Room, in.	--	--	--

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	--	--	--

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

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 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.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohv I4	2.5 / 151	94-105	130-135	5-speed manual: 23/27 4-speed automatic: 20/26	5-speed manual: 22.9 4-speed automatic: --

ohv V6	2.8 / 173	125	150	5-speed manual: 19/25	5-speed manual: --

ohv V6	4.3 / 262	160-165	230-235	5-speed manual: 18/23 4-speed automatic: 18/24	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 16.2

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1993 S-10

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	2

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: USA

Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive

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Also in the 1990-1993 Chevrolet S-10 Pickup Review:

Chevrolet S10 Pickup

Chevrolet S10 Pickup Road Test

Chevrolet S10 Pickup Reliability

Chevrolet S10 Pickup Prices

Chevrolet S10 Pickup Specs & Safety

Chevrolet S10 Pickup Photos

Chevrolet S10 Pickup Full Review