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Ford versus Chevy; Two of America’s most important mid-size trucks, the Ranger and Colorado go head to head in a fight for supremacy
Which Refresh is Best?
The battle between Ford and Chevy has raged on for decades. Today, there are numerous fronts where the two companies compete for market share. The midsize pickup space is just such a front, and the Ranger and Colorado represent two of the space’s newest and most compelling vehicles. Today, we’re going to compare them in every meaningful way. Then, we’ll select the one we’d spend our hard-earned cash on.
Specs
The newest of these trucks is the Ranger. As of this writing, Ford hasn’t even built 1,000 of them but once production ramps up expect to see them everywhere. It comes standard with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can select rear or four-wheel drive; regardless, they’ll get a 10-speed automatic gearbox. A twin-turbocharged V6 will also be available for all but the base trim but Ford hasn’t said exactly when it’ll come online.
When it does, it’ll offer 315 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Finally, the Ranger Raptor is coming at some point with a 3.0-liter engine that makes 405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. The EPA says that the 2.3-liter will get up to 21 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. The Raptor engine will get 16 and 18 mpg respectively. There’s no word on what the 2.7-liter will get at this point.
Towing capacity is capped at 7,500 pounds regardless of engine choice. The Ranger starts at $34,265 and should cap out right around $45,225 for the non-Raptor version. Those who want that pickup will need to shell out $57,065 or more. Keep in mind that these prices are what Ford says the truck should cost. They don’t take into account dealers that gouge customers with markups.
The Chevrolet Colorado debuted for the 2023 model year so it’s not exactly “old” by comparison. It comes standard with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is also standard as is an eight-speed automatic gearbox. At best, it’ll get up to 20 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. The base two trims have access to two features that come standard on the rest of the lineup.
Those features are four-wheel drive and a version of the 2.7-liter engine that makes 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. The EPA says it’ll achieve up to 17 mpg in the city and 19 on the highway. Notably, the Colorado’s maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds is only achievable with the more potent engine. Those with the weaker one will max out at just 3,500 pounds of towing capacity. Pricing starts at $31,095 and rises to just over $60,000 for the most expensive Colorado.
Driving and Performance
Very few people outside of Ford have driven the production version of the new Ranger but much of its bones are well known. The 2.3-liter engine is the same in other Ford products like the Mustang. It’s notable for its punchy torque and responsiveness. At the same time, it can sound a bit buzzy when pushed really hard. The 2.7-liter V6 is more engaging and flexible. It’s used in the Bronco and we love it in that SUV.
The 10-speed automatic is smooth and very rarely struggles to find the right gear. Finally, the Raptor powertrain should be an absolute riot. All three engines sit inside an all-new chassis design for the Ranger that aims to prove itself rugged and rigid for years. To that end, we expect the ride to be a bit rough and body roll to be a common experience when driving this pickup hard.
The Colorado offers a far more refined ride than one might expect. The steering is well weighted and that makes placing this truck pretty easy. Tight parking lots aren’t much of a hassle either thanks to great visibility and an overall size that’s more appropriate for most places than any full-size truck on sale today. The chassis is stiff which does translate to some bumps from the road making their way into the cabin but for the most part, the Colorado is a serene place to spend time.
Buyers who opt for the MultiMatic DSSV dampers will enjoy the ride even more thanks to far greater body control. The 310 hp version of the engine is a joy to use as well. It’s full of torque and makes the Colorado feel like it’s at home just about anywhere whether that be a busy highway or a trail in the middle of nowhere.
The only drawback of the Colorado is the base 2.7-liter engine. It’s a bit of a dog in a pony show since it makes dramatically less power than most of its competitors. Thankfully, upgrading to the more powerful engine isn’t very expensive, and those who simply want to add power after the fact can do it with a dealer-installed tune that maintains the warranty coverage but boosts horsepower and torque to near top-trim levels.
Comfort and Interior
Ford lovers who want a pint-sized F-150 will love the cabin of the new Ranger. It improves on the previous generation’s interior by leaps and bounds. The dash design is very F-150 with blocky chunky elements that surround two digital displays, one for the driver and another for the infotainment center.
The surfaces aren’t particularly luxurious in the XL and XLT trims but they’re made to last. Physical climate control knobs sit below the infotainment screen and ahead of the cupholders and gear shift knob. That infotainment system is Sync 4, one of our favorite interfaces. It’s quick to respond to touches and offers great configurability to tailor the experience to the buyer’s preference.
Ford has added a bit of texture to the seating surfaces and door cards as well. The seating is comfortable but the padding doesn’t feel as robust as the rest of the interior. The rear seats offer decent room for adults and flip up to provide additional storage under the cushion or to simply move out of the way so that buyers can use the floorboard to store taller objects or to stack gear. The bed allows for four-foot-wide objects to lay flat and also comes with a payload capacity of 1,805 pounds.
The Colorado doesn’t link itself as heavily to its big brother pickup. The dash combines angular touches with round climate vents that bookend the space. A large 11.3-inch infotainment system is standard and looks fantastic. An 11-inch digital gauge cluster stares back at the driver and provides great graphics along with good configurability. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard and Google Built-In navigation is available too.
The cabin is nicely appointed with a mix of plastics that should prove easy to clean. We also like the physical climate controls and the row of physical buttons that allow owners to make quick selections without the need to go through the infotainment system. The seats are supportive and wide with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. If anything we’d love to see Chevrolet provide better lateral bolstering.
The rear seats also flip up as they do in the Ford Ranger but they’re not as spacious here. Interestingly Chevrolet does offer lockable storage for buyers who prefer it. The bed is similar to the Ranger but doesn’t fit a clear 4×8 sheet of building material as easily. It is available with 120-volt power outlets in both the bed and the rear seats.
Trims and Features
The Ford Ranger comes in four different trim levels, XL, XLT, Lariat, and Raptor. All but the Raptor come standard with the 2.3-liter engine and rear-wheel drive. The 2.7-liter isn’t available as of this writing but Ford predicts that it will be in “Summer” of 2024. Additionally, the Ranger Raptor isn’t available yet either.
XL – This trim gets 17-inch wheels, cloth upholstery, two tow hooks on 4WD models, LED headlights, fog lights, vinyl floor covering, an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, automatic high beams, and one 12v power outlet.
XLT – The XLT adds unique 17-inch wheels, Terrain Management drive modes, LED bed lighting, LED fog lights, power-folding mirrors, rear privacy glass, a wireless device charger, color-coordinated carpet with carpeted floor mats, a digital rearview mirror, a 120-volt power outlet, satellite radio, integrated navigation, and remote start. Ford also includes lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and blind-spot mitigation.
Lariat – The top non-Raptor trim adds a 360–degree camera system, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12-inch digital gauge cluster, a 12-inch infotainment system, adaptive cruise control, ambient interior lighting, a universal garage door opener, a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, leather upholstery, zone lighting, and LED projector headlights.
Raptor – This desert-runner-focused trim gets Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks, 33-inch mud-terrain tires, stronger suspension components, and a lot of Raptor branding both inside and outside of the pickup.
The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado is available in five different trims starting with the WT.
WT – It gets 17-inch steel wheels, an 11-inch digital gauge cluster, an 11.3-inch infotainment system, cloth upholstery, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, six speakers, push button start, and a hitch guidance on the rear camera system.
LT – This trim adds a remote-locking tailgate, keyless entry, and rear climate vents.
Trail Boss – This off-road-focused trim gets 4WD and the more powerful engine as standard. In addition, it adds 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, a 2-inch lift kit, a two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, an automatic locking rear differential, and fender flares.
Z71 – The Z71 loses the 2-inch lift of the Trail Boss but adds faux leather upholstery, red tow hooks, LED headlights, 120-volt power outlets in the rear seat and bed, heated power-adjustable mirrors, a sliding rear window, and two USB ports in the second row.
ZR2 – This is the most capable of the group with 17-inch wheels, mud-terrain tires, Multimatic DSSV dampers, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, remote start, rock rails, a spray-in bedliner, a 3-inch lift, and an upgraded tailgate with additional storage.
The Verdict
Both of these trucks are genuinely good but considering all of the unknowns surrounding the Ford Ranger we have to go with the Chevrolet Colorado. Keep in mind that some parts of the Colorado package are just objectively better. It offers better technology, more total towing capacity, more torque at a lower price point, and far better availability right now. That makes it our choice when compared to the Ford Ranger.
