What was the last S-10 truck?

The last S-10 pickup was the 2003 model year. General Motors ended the S-series after that year and introduced the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon for the 2004 model year, ending the S-10/Sonoma era.

Historical context: the S-10's lifecycle

The S-10 was Chevrolet's compact pickup that helped define small-truck options in the 1980s and 1990s. It shared a sibling with the GMC Sonoma and evolved through two generations before GM retired the line.

Key milestones in its history include:

• Introduction in 1982 as Chevrolet's compact pickup, paired with the GMC Sonoma in the same family.


• Major refresh for the second generation in 1994, updating styling and features while maintaining its compact footprint.


• Concluding production in 2003, with the S-10/Sonoma lineup retired as GM shifted to the mid-size Colorado/Canyon platform beginning in 2004.

These milestones illustrate how the S-10 evolved from a pioneering compact truck to a legacy model replaced by GM's newer midsize offerings.

The final S-10 and what replaced it

The true end of the S-10 era came with the 2003 model year. In 2004, GM introduced the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon to take its place in the mid-size pickup segment.

• The last S-10 model year produced for the U.S. market was 2003, ending the S-series lineup after two decades of production.


• Replacement was the Chevrolet Colorado (and its GMC Canyon counterpart), built on a newer platform designed for improved payload, efficiency, and modern features.


• The Colorado/Canyon strategy extended GM's mid-size truck line into the 2010s and beyond, maintaining a separate path from the original S-10/Sonoma design.

These points underscore the transition from the S-10's compact formula to GM's later mid-size truck strategy, which continues to influence GM pickups today.

Why the S-10 era ended

Industry trends toward more capable mid-size pickups, consolidation of GM's truck platforms, and shifts in consumer demand toward newer designs contributed to retiring the S-10 in favor of the Colorado/Canyon duo, offering updated styling, safety features, and improved efficiency.

Summary

In short, the last S-10 was the 2003 model year. Production ended as GM pivoted to the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon for 2004, ending a two-decade run of Chevrolet's compact pickup and replacing it with a more modern mid-size alternative. The S-10's legacy endures in how it shaped GM's approach to pickups and left a mark on the era of small-truck design.

When did they stop making S-10 trucks?

Production of the S10 truck stopped in North America after the 2004 model year, when it was replaced by the Chevy Colorado. However, the S10 continued to be made in other markets, such as Brazil, though the name was eventually replaced by the Colorado in those regions as well.
 

• North America: The final model year for the S10 was 2004. It was discontinued due to low sales and replaced by the new Chevy Colorado, which was released for the 2004 model year. 
• South America: The S10 was produced in Brazil for a much longer time. The second-generation S-series was manufactured locally, and the production of the S10 continued there until 2012, at which point it was also replaced by the Colorado. 

Did Colorado replace the S-10?

Yes, the Chevrolet Colorado was introduced in 2004 as the official replacement for the S-10 in North America, marking the end of the S-10's production in the U.S.. While the two trucks served a similar role as Chevrolet's compact/midsize pickup, the Colorado is a different model, with the S-10 being phased out and the Colorado taking its place in the lineup.
 
You can watch this video to learn more about the history of the Chevy S10 and its replacement: 1mAll Cars with JonYouTube · Mar 23, 2024

• Replacement timeline: The Colorado was launched for the 2004 model year, and the S-10 was phased out after the 2004 model year. 
• Shared platform: The Colorado and the similarly timed GMC Canyon share a platform, and the Colorado was developed to replace both the S-10 and its GMC counterpart, the Sonoma. 
• Different models: While they served the same purpose in the Chevrolet lineup, the Colorado is a distinct model and not just a redesign of the S-10. The Colorado is larger and has different engine options. 
• International markets: Some international markets continued to use the S-10 name on their models, even after the Colorado took its place in the U.S.. For example, the Colorado is sold as the S10 in Brazil and other South American markets. 

What does S in S-10 stand for?

The "S" in S-10 stands for "S-series" chassis, a model designation for Chevrolet's compact pickup truck, similar to how "C" and "K" denoted two-wheel and four-wheel drive on their full-size trucks, respectively. Internally, it was sometimes referred to as the "S/T" series, but it was badged with "S-10" for all versions.
 

• S-series: The "S" refers to the truck's chassis design, which was part of the S-series truck family, according to Facebook users. 
• Internal designation: Some internal Chevrolet documents also used "T" to distinguish four-wheel-drive models, making the internal codename "S/T," although the external badging remained "S-10" for all configurations, notes Wikipedia. 

Is the Chevy S10 coming back?

Yes, the Chevy S10 is coming back, with a new 2026 edition recently announced for the Brazilian market. This new model is a special 100th-anniversary edition featuring design and technology updates, though it will continue production in Brazil.
 
This video shows a detailed look at the new 2026 Chevy S10, highlighting its design and features: 15sAutoTrend YouTube · Apr 11, 2025

• A new anniversary model: Chevrolet is launching a special 100th-anniversary edition of the S10 for the Brazilian market. 
• Updated features: The new model will include features like a 207 hp 2.8 turbodiesel engine, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. 
• Regional production: The new S10 will continue to be produced at the São José dos Campos plant in Brazil. 
• Part of a larger tribute: This S10 is the first of three special models to celebrate Chevrolet's centennial in Brazil, with other models like the Onix and Tracker also receiving commemorative editions. 

You can also watch this video for an in-depth look at the new 2025 Chevy S10 Max model: 1mAutoShowYouTube · Oct 15, 2024