What is the GMC version of the S-10?

The GMC version of the S-10 is the GMC Sonoma.

Origins and badge engineering

From the outset, General Motors used badge engineering to offer essentially identical pickups under different brands, allowing buyers to choose between GMC and Chevrolet without altering core mechanics.

Badge-engineered twins

The S-10 and Sonoma were built on the same fundamental platform and shared most mechanical components, with the main differences being branding, styling cues, and available trim. They were offered in regular cab and extended cab configurations with two-wheel or four-wheel drive.

• Shared engineering: same chassis, drivetrain options, and general layout across generations


• Branding: distinct GMC and Chevrolet styling and badges


• Body styles: Regular Cab and Extended Cab; various bed lengths


• Market scope: primarily North America, with similar dealer networks and option packages

These twins allowed GM to cover the compact pickup segment for two brands using a common architecture.

Production timeline and market presence

Here is a concise look at when the Sonoma appeared and how long it stayed in GM’s lineup.

• Launch era: The GMC Sonoma was introduced in the early 1980s as a counterpart to the Chevrolet S-10


• Career span: It remained in production through the late 1990s and into the early 2000s, overlapping with the S-10’s lifespan


• Succession: GM shifted toward the mid-size Colorado/Canyon lineup in the mid-2000s, effectively ending the Sonoma’s run

The Sonoma's lifecycle illustrates GM's badge-engineering strategy and its eventual shift to newer pickup platforms in the 2000s.

Legacy and impact

The Sonoma is remembered as a practical example of GM’s badge-engineering approach, providing GMC-branded compact-truck options that paralleled Chevrolet's S-10. It set the stage for the later transition to the mid-size Colorado and Canyon, which helped GM modernize its pickup lineup.

Summary

In brief, the GMC Sonoma was the GMC counterpart to the Chevrolet S-10, sharing most of its mechanicals and configurations while carrying GMC branding. It existed from the early 1980s into the early 2000s, and GM eventually replaced the compact S-series with the Colorado/Canyon duo in the mid-2000s. The Sonoma remains a notable example of badge engineering in American trucks.

Is GM bringing back the S-10?

Yes, but not in the North American market. Chevrolet released a refreshed 2025 S10, and also a 2026 version with added safety features, in Brazil and other South American countries. The S10 is not being brought back to the U.S. and is separate from models like the new C10 that are inspired by classic truck designs, like the ones you see in this YouTube video. 
You can watch this video for a first look at the 2025 S10 Max pickup truck: 56sAutoShowYouTube · Oct 15, 2024

• Where it's available: The S10 is currently produced for markets like Brazil. 
• What's new: The 2025 and 2026 models feature updated styling, new technology like an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and 11-inch infotainment display, an updated powertrain, and enhanced safety features. 
• Not for the U.S.: There are no current plans to sell the S10 in the United States. 

What did Chevy replace the S-10 with?

The Chevrolet Colorado replaced the Chevy S-10 in the North American market, with the S-10 being discontinued after the 2004 model year. The Colorado was developed as a joint venture between GM Brazil and Isuzu and was first introduced to North America around the same time the S-10 ceased production.
 
This video explains the history of Chevy trucks, including the S-10 and its replacement, the Colorado: 52sAll Cars with JonYouTube · Mar 23, 2024

• The S-10 was phased out in North America following the 2004 model year. 
• The Colorado was introduced as the S-10's successor in the compact pickup truck segment. 
• The Isuzu i-Series was also discontinued around the same time and was part of the same replacement strategy. 

You can watch this video to see the design and features of the new Colorado: 57sAutoTrend YouTube · Apr 11, 2025

What was the GMC version of the Blazer called?

The GMC equivalent of the Chevrolet Blazer was the GMC Jimmy. The original full-size Blazer and Jimmy were offered alongside each other, with the Jimmy being the name for GMC's version of the large SUV. Later, when the Blazer name was phased out for the larger models (replaced by the Chevrolet Tahoe), the corresponding GMC name was updated to GMC Yukon.
 

• Original full-size model: The GMC counterpart to the full-size Chevrolet K5 Blazer was the GMC Jimmy. 
• Later, larger models: After the full-size Blazer was replaced by the Tahoe in 1995, the Jimmy was also renamed the Yukon for GMC's full-size SUV. 
• Compact models: When a smaller, compact S-10 Blazer was introduced, GMC also offered a version of it, initially called the S-15 Jimmy. 

What is the GMC version if the S-10?

GMC Sonoma
When it was first introduced as a "quarter-ton pickup" in 1981 for the 1982 model year, the GMC version was known as the S-15 and later renamed the GMC Sonoma.