1990-1994 Chevrolet S10 Blazer: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
1994 Chevrolet S10 Blazer
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1990-1994 Chevrolet S10 Blazer
- Price Range: $0 - $1,500
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1994 Chevrolet S10 Blazer and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Antilock brakes
- Acceleration
- 4WD traction
- Passenger and cargo room
- Ride (4-door)
Cons
- Rear-seat comfort
- Fuel economy
- Noise
- Ride (2-door models)
Vehicle Highlights
Launched way back in 1983, the S10 Blazer and its GMC S15 Jimmy counterparts were two of the first compact carlike sport-utility vehicles. Engines were underpowered in the 1980s. That changed for the better by 1988, when Chevy offered its potent 4.3-liter V6 as an option. That engine has been standard since 1990. Initially, only a 2-door model was available, with either 2- or 4-wheel drive (the latter GM's Insta-Trac part-time system) and manual or automatic transmission. Base models came with a full-size spare tire, dual outside mirrors, and halogen headlamps. 2WD models added fog lamps; 4WD, front tow hooks. Antilock braking operated only on rear wheels.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Chevrolet S10 Blazer Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 44 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1994 Chevrolet S10 Blazer. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1994 Chevrolet S10 Blazer.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Chevrolet S10 Blazer:
Early in the 1991 model year came 4-door versions on a longer wheelbase. The 4.3-liter engine and 4-door body finally made Blazer competitive with the wildly successful Jeep Cherokee. A Sport trim option (including 2-tone paint and alloy wheels) became available for 4-doors as well as 2-doors, but other changes were few. Antilock braking operated on all wheels on 4-doors, but only at the rear on 2-doors.
1992 Chevrolet S10 Blazer:
Four-wheel-drive Blazers could now be ordered with an electronic-shift transfer case, which engaged or disengaged 4WD via a dashboard button instead of a floor lever. Antilock brakes now operated on all four wheels, in 2- and 4WD, on all models.
1993 Chevrolet S10 Blazer:
Two-door S10s could get Tahoe LT trim this year. All models adopted a new chrome grille. Standard engines gained five horsepower when equipped with manual shift. A new "enhanced" version put out 200 horsepower. That one worked only with an automatic transmission. Both V6s gained an internal balance shaft to reduce vibration.
1994 Chevrolet S10 Blazer:
New safety features included side door-guard beams and a center high-mounted stoplamp. A 60/40 split front bench seat became standard on 5-doors. A redesigned Blazer was ready to debut, as a '95 model.
Our road test for the 1990-1994 Chevrolet S10 Blazer includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1994 Chevrolet S10 Blazer and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1994 Chevrolet S10 Blazer is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
The 4.3-liter engine develops considerable torque at low engine speeds, yielding strong acceleration around town, plus plenty of towing power. Sadly, it's also noisy. Suspensions are among the least compliant in their class, but the 4-door's longer wheelbase improves ride quality. With a 2-door, you can expect to bounce and bang over bumpy roads. Body lean in turns isn't bad, but Blazers don't match the smaller Jeep Cherokee in urban nimbleness. Interior room is good, but not as spacious as an Explorer or Grand Cherokee. Dashboard layout also is pleasing on the whole, but some controls are a long reach, and radio buttons are small. Interior noise gets bothersome on the highway. Back seats are hard to get at in 2-doors. Four-door models, with their extra 6.5 inches of wheelbase, boast vastly improved access. Rear leg room is identical in each body style, but the 4-door's longer wheelbase allowed the back seat to be fitted ahead of rear wheelwells, for 15 inches more hip room than the 2-door. Shift-on-the-fly 4WD and 4-wheel ABS are particularly appealing features.
Value for the Money
By 1993, when Jeep launched its Grand Cherokee with a driver-side airbag and available V8, the Blazer was showing its age. Grand Cherokee and Explorers beat the Blazer in refinement, but the S10 Blazer still is a good choice in a smaller sport utility.
By 1993, when Jeep launched its Grand Cherokee with a driver-side airbag and available V8, the Blazer was showing its age. Grand Cherokee and Explorers beat the Blazer in refinement, but the S10 Blazer still is a good choice in a smaller sport utility.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Chevrolet S10 Blazer Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 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.
Our reliability study for this generation Chevrolet S10 Blazer includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Chevrolet S10 Blazer .
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:
TH-700-R4 automatic transmissions may shift late or not upshift at all. The problem is a stuck throttle valve inside the transmission. (1990-94)
Engine knock:
Knock in the 4.3-liter engine is usually eliminated by using an oil filter with a check valve. If this does not fix it, GM has revised PROMs for the computers and will even replace the main bearings. (1990-94)
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 | $210 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $390 |
| Exhaust System | $405 |
| Radiator | $415 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $275 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $205 |
| Universal Joints | $160 |
Our price chart for this generation Chevrolet S10 Blazer details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1994 | |||
| S10 Blazer 2WD | $1,300-1,800 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| S10 Blazer 4WD | $1,700-2,300 | $1,100-1,500 | $300 |
| 1993 | |||
| S10 Blazer 2WD | $1,200-1,600 | $700-1,000 | $100-200 |
| S10 Blazer 4WD | $1,600-2,100 | $1,100-1,400 | $200-300 |
| 1992 | |||
| S10 Blazer 2WD | $1,100-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| S10 Blazer 4WD | $1,500-1,900 | $1,000-1,200 | $200 |
| 1991 | |||
| S10 Blazer 2WD | $1,000-1,400 | $600-800 | $100 |
| S10 Blazer 4WD | $1,300-1,700 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| 1990 | |||
| S10 Blazer 2WD | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| S10 Blazer 4WD | $1,100-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
|
|
|||
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.
Specs for this generation Chevrolet S10 Blazer include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door wagon | 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 100.5 | 107.0 |
| Overall Length, in. | 170.3 | 176.8 |
| Overall Width, in. | 65.4 | 65.4 |
| Overall Height, in. | 64.1 | 64.3 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3536 | 3776 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 67.3 | 74.3 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 20.0 | 20.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | 6 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.1 | 39.1 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.5 | 42.5 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.7 | 38.8 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 35.5 | 36.5 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
All S10 Blazers carried a 4.3-liter V6, which began the decade with 160 horsepower. Either a 5-speed manual gearbox or 4-speed automatic might be installed. Revised fuel injection for '91 was supposed to improve engine starting. The base engine edged up to 165 horsepower in 1993 (5-speed manual shift only), while a new "enhanced" edition cranked up 200 horses, sending its output to 4-speed automatic only.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv V6 | 4.3 / 262 | 160-165 | 230-235 | 5-speed manual: 16/21 4-speed automatic: 17/22 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 16.2 |
| ohv V6 | 4.3 / 262 | 200 | 260 | 4-speed automatic: 16/22 | 4-speed automatic: 15.3 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Chevrolet S10 Blazer include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1994 S-10 Blazer |
|---|---|
| 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%. Sideimpact 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%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1994 Chevrolet S10 Blazer directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1990-91:
Fuel-tank sender seal may be out of position, which could result in fuel leakage.
1990-92 w/2.5-liter engine and no air conditioning:
Fan blades could break off while engine is running.
1991:
Rear seatbelt-buckle release button can stick in unlatched position, under certain conditions.
1991-94 w/4WD and ABS:
Increased stopping distances can occur during ABS stops while in 2WD mode.
1993:
Rear seatbelts may not meet government requirements.
1994 w/weight-distribution trailer-hitch option:
Trailer-hitch attaching bolts were not tightened adequately.
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