Back in 2019, GM Authority posed a question – would GM unify and globalize the third-generation Chevy Colorado? At the time, GM sold the Chevy S10 in South America and Chevy Colorado in North America as two very distinct trucks with a long list of differences. However, the launch of the third-gen Colorado in conjunction with the 2023 calendar year presented an opportunity for GM to unify the two trucks into a single model, leading us to ask that question in 2019. Now, however, we now have our answer – the Chevy Colorado and Chevy S10 will remain distinct animals.
Pre-update Chevy S10
First, a little backstory. Even before the launch of the third-generation Chevy Colorado, the North American Colorado and international market Chevy S10 were very different. For example, the underlying structure for both models, while hailing from the broader 31XX architecture, shared very few similarities, and both presented markedly different exterior styling, different cabin designs, different powertrains, different wheelbase measurements, and even different cab setups.
At one time, it appeared as though GM was interested in bringing more commonality between these two pickups, leaving the question open as to how that commonality might manifest. Now, however, with the debut of the updated 2025 Chevy S10 in Brazil earlier this month, we know that these two trucks will remain completely different.
Not to say there isn’t at least a little bit of commonality between the third-generation Chevy Colorado and updated 2025 Chevy S10. For example, the front fascia design shares a few common cues, while the interiors also appear to have a relatively similar display layout.
Third-generation Chevy Colorado
Updated 2025 Chevy S10
Beyond that, though, these trucks really are distinct animals. The 2025 Chevy S10 continues to ride on the old version of the 31XX platform, unlike the updated platform that underpins the third-gen Chevy Colorado. The S10 also once again cradles a 2.8L I4 turbodiesel Duramax engine (albeit upgraded for the 2025 model year), as compared to the gasoline-only Colorado.
Finally, it should be mentioned that keeping these two trucks distinct is in fact more cost-effective in the long run, given the S10 will continue to be produced in Brazil, separate from the North American Colorado, which is produced in Missouri. And because it rides on the older 31XX platform, the S10 doesn’t require too many expensive updates, as would be the case if it had further commonality with the third-gen Colorado.
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Comments
We “need” the S-10, the days of $35K “base models” has got here, and that’s too much. Ford has proven this with their Maverick.
Both of these trucks are far superior to the old S10. Those had what might be the weakest frame in automotive history. Complete junk.
For being junk, mine lasted 15 years and 260,000 miles, all of that in Michigan where the roads are salted.
I had 2 S10’s. Both lasted me 20 years before being sold. I preferred the 1994 over the 2000. The 94 had the 3.70 rear axle, which provided fantastic fuel mileage, vs the 2000 with a 4.10 rear axle ratio. Both 4 cyl. engines provided sufficient power and were not “chip” dependent. Both had manual transmissions
ahhh, manual transmissions, those were the days.
I prefer the face on the new S-10. It’s what the second gen in the US should’ve been all along. Looks like the silverado HD
Look at the face of the Z71 model or even the LT mode they look far superior to the S10. I don’t like the ZR2 (shown) , wt or trail boss fronts
This also applies to GM’s trio of compact SUV’s – Chevy Nox/GMC Terrain/Buick Envision. Perhaps the answer here is a bit more complicated. I believe the Envision is is more of a model for the China market and the Nox/Terrain focus is here in the US.