2002 Chevrolet S-10: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Air conditioning and a tachometer are newly standard on Chevrolet's compact pickup for 2002, and the long cargo bed, which was dropped at the beginning of the model year, has since been reinstated. S-10 offers a 2-dr regular cab, 3-dr extended cab, and 4-dr Crew Cab. Regular and extended cabs come with a 6-ft bed in straight-fender Fleetside or flared-fender Sportside versions; the longer 7.3-ft bed is offered only on the regular cab. Extended cabs have a left rear door and one rear jump seat. Crew Cabs have a 4.6-ft bed, four conventional front-hinged doors, and a 3-passenger rear bench seat. A front bench seat is available on regular and extended cabs. A 6-disc in-dash CD changer is a new '02 option, and Crew Cabs are now available with heated front seats.

Regular cabs come only with rear-wheel drive. Optional on extended cabs and standard on Crew Cabs is 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. A 4-cyl engine is standard. A V6 is optional on 2WD S-10s and standard on 4x4s. Short-bed regular and extended cabs offer manual or automatic transmission, Crew Cabs and long beds automatic only. ABS is standard; 4x4s get 4-wheel disc brakes. The Xtreme option package gives 2WD S-10s a custom look, and extended-cab 4x4s offer a raised-suspension ZR2 package. GMC sells a slightly retrimmed version of the S-10 as the Sonoma.

COMPETITION

Among compact pickups two vehicles really stand out: The Dodge Dakota and the Ford Ranger (and clone Mazda Truck). Dakota is the only one to offer a V8 engine, full-time 4WD, and near-full-size cargo and towing capacity. Ranger is the most refined and probably the best daily use vehicle.

This year we are limiting our Recommended choice to the Toyota Tacoma. It's every bit as good as the Ranger in daily use, just a tad more expensive.