The Morning Call and Mcall.com's view

When it comes to pickup trucks, few automakers are as skilled at coming up with variations on this most American of vehicles as American automakers.

Take Chevrolet’s compact pickup, the S-10.

There’s a Main Street version, available in normal or extended cab with a choice of short or long bed. There’s a smooth and silent electric version. I’ve driven both of those, and if there’s one model I’ve fallen for, it’s the S-10 with the ZR2 Wide Stance Sport Performance Package. (That’s Chevy-speak for the big-tire option.)

Before venturing into the test model, keep in mind the broad spectrum of choice an S-10 offers. It’s available as a two- or four-wheel-drive in regular or extended cab, short or long bed. Trim levels are base and LS. Standard is a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine — a mere 120 horsepower and 140 foot-pounds of torque. Opting for the 4.3-liter V6 seems a better proposition. The V6 generates 175 horsepower with two-wheel-drive, 180 with four-wheel-drive. Why there’s a difference, only GM knows.

The test vehicle was an LS extended-cab short box with V6 engine and the aforementioned ZR2 package. What the ZR2 brings to the party is unique front fenders — wheel flares that arch out four inches over the wheel opening, 190-horsepower V6, Bilstein high-pressure shock absorbers, front stabilizer bar, unique rear suspension with revised springs, cast aluminum wheels and wider 31×10.5/R15 off-road tires, all applied to a special wide-stance chassis.

Chevy also throws in tilt wheel, cruise control, power windows, power door locks, power heated remote mirrors, keyless entry, air conditioning, stereo system and a third door on extended cab models. That equipment is optional on other models.

So the truck looks tough enough to not embarrass its driver when parked outside the local pro wrestling match or hole-in-the-wall bar. It even gets compliments from other truck owners, despite its, by now, familiar shape.

Of course, all the gear thrown in makes the truck ideal for off-road, but compromises the ride somewhat on the highway. Whether you want to deal with it or not depends on your disposition.

Sure, the truck rocked quite a bit in general, but was adept at absorbing the rough stuff while giving good grip that allowed tossing this truck around a bit.

Care should be given when driving with gusto, as this truck is jacked up higher than the standard pickup. But it never felt tipsy, even though body lean was evident going through corners. Its ride was a lot more tolerable than some of its Asian competition. It still rock-and-rolled, but had a level of sophistication and suppleness that made living with this truck a more attractive proposition.

There’s a bit of tire and road noise in addition to the roar of the engine. But given the ZR2 option package, what did you expect?

Not surprisingly, the 190-horsepower overhead-valve V6 furnished sparkling acceleration, giving lots of grunt at take-off. The great g ob of torque available is a refreshing change from most of its weak-kneed competition.

Four-wheel anti-lock brakes are standard on all models, but two-wheel-drive models get rear drum brakes rather than the four-wheel-drive’s rear discs. Braking seemed reasonably short for an unloaded pickup, although extreme braking made the back end twitch a bit. That’s not uncommon for any pickup, but it happened rarely with this one.

Inside, it’s typical S-10, which is to say good. Chevy endowed the interior with a dash that’s functional, yet appealing. The gauges are complete, including ones for voltage and oil pressure — a rarity — and clustered under an arched hood. The deep-dish steering wheel takes some getting used to, but the overall driving position is quite satisfactory. The passenger gets an air bag as well as the driver. The passenger also gets a grab handle just above the air bag. The radio and climate controls are standard-issue GM.

Of course, the big treat here is the t hird door on the passenger’s side. There’s no exterior door handle. First, you open the driver’s door. On the door jamb is a handle that opens the rear door, allowing access to the rear storage compartment. There’s also a jump seat mounted on the other side, but few will want to use this Lilliputian contrivance.

I wasn’t prepared to like this tough off-roader with its big-tire attitude. But the soft, practical streak that supports this package make this a livable and fun pickup, whether or not you’re a fan of pro wrestling.

1999 Chevrolet S-10 extended cab Fleetside pickup

Engines: 2.2 overhead valve four-cylinder; 4.3 OHV V6

Transmissions: five-speed manual or four-speed automatic

Tires: 31 x 15.5/R-15 off-road

Standard: Four-wheel-drive 4.3-liter V6, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, short bed, dual air bags, AM/FM stereo, clock, 19-gallon fuel tank, front tow hooks, cloth bucket seats.

Options: Package 1SC (wide stance suspension package, locking differential, aluminum wheels, upgraded stereo with cassette, air conditioning, third door, tilt wheel, cruise control, power door locks/ windows/ mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, sliding rear glass) automatic transmission, CD player, 4,900-pound gross vehicle weight rating.

Base price, Base model: $12,658

Base price, test model: $19,772

As tested: $25,872

EPA rating: 16 mpg city, 21 mpg highway

Test mileage: 14 mpg