What was the last year of the S-10 Blazer?
The S-10 Blazer's final model year was 1994.
The S-10 Blazer was a compact, truck-based SUV built on Chevrolet's S-10 pickup platform. Introduced in the early 1980s, the S-10 Blazer ran through the 1994 model year. Beginning with the 1995 model year, GM shifted the Blazer name to a redesigned mid-size SUV built on a different platform, marking the end of the S-10 Blazer lineage.
Timeline of the S-10 Blazer
Below are the key milestones in the S-10 Blazer's run, including its production years and notable changes.
- Model years 1983–1994: The S-10 Blazer was offered in two- and four-door configurations, with four-wheel drive available on several trims.
- Engine lineup evolved from smaller inline engines to include a 4.3L V6 in later years, enhancing torque for towing and off-road use.
- End of the line: The S-10 Blazer nameplate was retired after the 1994 model year, as GM introduced a redesigned Blazer for 1995 on a larger mid-size platform.
These milestones illustrate how the S-10 Blazer served as a bridge between the original truck-based SUV concept and a subsequent generation that adopted a different chassis and market position.
Post-1994 Blazer: The name evolves
Starting in 1995, Chevrolet launched a redesigned Blazer that moved away from the S-10 pickup underpinnings. The new Blazer was a mid-size SUV built on a larger GM platform and shared its lineage with GMC's Jimmy, signaling a shift in GM's approach to front-line SUV offerings.
Why the change mattered for enthusiasts
For collectors and automotive historians, the 1994 S-10 Blazer marks the end of an era: a durable, compact, truck-based SUV design that gave way to a broader, mid-size Blazer lineage. Distinctions in chassis, size, and styling separate the final S-10 Blazers from later models bearing the Blazer name.
Additional context: Variants and trims
During its run, the S-10 Blazer was offered in multiple trim levels with optional four-wheel drive. Availability varied by year, but the core concept remained a compact, rugged SUV built on the S-10 pickup platform.
In summary, the last year of the S-10 Blazer was 1994, marking the end of the model line on that chassis. The Blazer name continued, beginning in 1995, on a redesigned mid-size SUV that represented a new era for Chevrolet’s SUV lineup.
Summary
The S-10 Blazer concluded with the 1994 model year, after which Chevrolet shifted the Blazer name to a new mid-size SUV platform starting in 1995, signaling a transition in GM’s approach to compact versus mid-size SUVs.
