The Chevrolet S-10 Pickup does 20.5 mpg combined (18.3 city, 24.0 highway), which works out to about $1,873 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.2L 4-cyl does 23.5 mpg while 4.3L 6-cyl does 17.8 — a difference of $523 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.8 mpg.
Every Chevrolet S-10 Pickup engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 20.8 / 26.8 | 1984–2003 | $1,634 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 20.5 / 25.6 | 1986–1993 | $1,714 | |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 16.7 / 23 | 1984–1993 | $2,043 | |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 15.6 / 21 | 1994–2005 | $2,157 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.156 |
| Fuel per year | $1,873 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,365 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$66 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,142 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 18.3 mpg | $2,098 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24.0 mpg | $1,600 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.7 mpg (31%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the S-10 Pickup changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2004 | 14 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2003 | 17 / 23 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2002 | 17 / 22.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2001 | 17 / 22.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2000 | 18 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1999 | 17.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1998 | 18 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1997 | 18 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1996 | 19 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1995 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1994 | 18 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1993 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1992 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1991 | 19 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1990 | 19 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1989 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1988 | 19 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1987 | 17.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1986 | 18.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1985 | 21.5 / 27 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 1984 | 21.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,600 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet S-10 Pickup get?
20.5 mpg combined on average — 18.3 in the city and 24.0 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2005.
How much does a Chevrolet S-10 Pickup cost in fuel per year?
About $1,873 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,365 over five years, or 0.156 dollars a mile.
Which S-10 Pickup engine is the most economical?
The 2.2L 4-cyl at 23.5 mpg, against 17.8 for the 4.3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $523 a year.
Is the S-10 Pickup good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.8 mpg, computed across 6170 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.