Chevrolet’s compact S-10 pickup, first introduced in 1981 for the 1982 model year, marked a significant milestone as Chevrolet’s first—and only to date—domestically-built compact pickup truck. Designed to compete with imported compact trucks like the Isuzu P’up and to replace its own import-based Chevrolet LUV, the S-10 offered a practical, American-made alternative amid rising fuel costs and shifting consumer preferences following the 1973 oil embargo. Among its many gasoline engine options, Chevrolet offered an optional fuel-efficient diesel powertrain.

The diesel-powered Chevrolet S-10 debuted in 1983, the truck’s second year of production, and coincided with the addition of an extended cab and four-wheel-drive capability. This diesel powerplant was an Isuzu-sourced 2.2-liter inline-four, identified by the RPO code LQ7. The engine was naturally aspirated and featured indirect fuel injection, producing a modest 58 horsepower at 4,300 rpm and 96 pound-feet of torque at 2,200 rpm. The diesel S-10’s 0 to 60 mph time fell north of 15 seconds, making it one of the slowest accelerating vehicles on the road at the time. The engine was paired with either a four-speed manual transmission or an optional three-speed automatic. The company’s “Insta-Trac” four-wheel-drive system was also available.

Fuel economy was a key selling point for the diesel S-10. While exact EPA figures from the era are scarce, contemporary reports suggest it achieved around 25 to 30 miles per gallon on the highway and approximately 20 mpg in city driving—impressive for a pickup truck in the 1980s. By comparison, the base gasoline 1.9-liter Isuzu four-cylinder offered about 20 mpg highway, while the optional 2.8-liter V-6 managed closer to 18 mpg. The diesel’s efficiency made it attractive for cost-conscious buyers, though its adoption was limited by its niche appeal and the era’s budding diesel infrastructure in the U.S.

Towing and payload capacities for the diesel S-10 were reflective of its compact design and modest power. The truck could tow up to approximately 2,000 pounds when properly equipped, a figure competitive with rivals like the Ford Ranger, but far below full-size pickups of the time. Payload capacity ranged from 1,000 to 1,500 pounds, depending on configuration—sufficient for small loads like tools, landscaping materials, or recreational gear. The S-10’s lightweight construction, with a curb weight starting around 2,700 pounds for the regular cab, contributed to its efficiency but limited its hauling prowess compared to larger trucks.

The diesel engine’s tenure in the S-10 was short-lived, disappearing after the 1985 model year. By 1986, Chevrolet phased out both the 2.2-liter diesel and the 1.9-liter gasoline Isuzu engines, leaving the Pontiac-sourced 2.5-liter “Iron Duke” four-cylinder and the 2.8-liter V-6 as the primary options.

Despite its brief run, the diesel-powered S-10 remains a curious footnote in Chevrolet’s history. If see a diesel S-10 on the road today, you’re looking at a real gem. It embodied the automaker’s early experimentation with diesel technology in light-duty trucks, a precursor to later successes of the Duramax-powered Colorado, which ran from 2016 to 2022.