1997 Chevrolet S-10 Review

Pickup trucks with third doors are big news this year because such doors enhance the utility of these vehicles.

Many already regard compact pickups as the substitute sports car of the 1990s because they are expressive and reasonably priced for younger buyers.

The S-Series, which was given a major upgrade for the 1994 model year, is a family of ``personal-size'' pickups and is offered with two- or four-wheel drive, in Regular Cab (with a short bed or long bed) and Extended Cab versions.

There even are three different wheelbases, ranging from 108.3 to 122.9. The slick, user-friendly S-Series pickups are priced from $11,270 to $13,985 for two-wheel-drive models and from $16,110 to $18,615 for four-wheel-drive models.

The $345 S-Series third door on the $18,615 Extended Cab Fleetside model, which I recently tested, is just behind the driver's door. It's not wide, but swings open more than 100 degrees to greatly facilitate loading pets, tools or cargo behind the front seats. Even a tall adult, who easily fits in the rear-area side-facing jump seat, will find the door handy for getting in or out.

It's hard to tell that the third door is there when it's closed; one must open the driver's door to see the extra door's latch.

Chevy knows that little things mean a lot when it comes to trucks.

The base S-Series engine is a rugged 2.2-liter, 110-horsepower four-cylinder, which works best with the standard five-speed manual transmission. Power of the $259 Vortec LF6 4300 V-6 (you really must be a truck person to appreciate all this) has been increased from 155 horsepower to 180_thanks to sequential fuel injection and related modifications.

That 4.3-liter V-6 provides snappy acceleration when hooked to the $1,070 four-speed electronically controlled four-speed automatic overdrive transmission, which shifts quickly and surely.

Fuel economy of the four-cylinder S-Series models is very good_up to 30 m.p.g. on highways. But it's strictly average with the V-6 models; my V-6/automatic transmission test truck delivered only an EPA-estimated 16 m.p.g. in the city and 21 on highways.

The S-Series just has a driver's air bag, but standard items include four-wheel anti-lock brakes.

Options, such as power windows and locks, a more elaborate radio and air conditioning_along with the third door and stronger engine_upped my test vehicle's base price to $24,207.

Watch those options before opening your wallet.

All S-Series trucks have variable-ratio power steering that responds quickly and has decent road feel. However, the brake pedal should offer better modulation.

One neat thing about these Chevy pickups is that you can get them with a variety of items.

For example, seven chassis packages are available. They allow S-Series buyers to select the suspension components that suit their particular needs without having to separately order springs, shock absorbers, stabilizer bar or tires.

The packages allow, for example, charging with good control across bumpy fields or challenging sports cars on regular pavement.

Compact pickups once were noisy and cramped. But S-Series pickup models_particularly the high-line ones_are roomy and quiet. Contributing to spaciousness are the wider cabs and flush-mounted side glass that arrived for 1994. Narrower windshield pillars result in greater visibility.

Control knobs for the lights, climate control system and radio get high marks because they are large enough to use while wearing ski mitts or lineman's gloves. You can't say the same for controls in many cars.

Chevy says most S-Series pickup owners use their trucks for personal transportation. But it's nice to know that these pickups are built ruggedly enough to handle tough work, if necessary.