What's the Difference: Ford Ranger vs. Chevy Colorado

What's the Difference: Ford Ranger vs Chevy Colorado

The Ford Ranger is a reliable and efficient small pickup truck with exceptional towing and hauling capabilities. First introduced in 1983, then taken off the market in 2011, the Ford Ranger came back in 2019 better than ever.

Powerful engine options make easy work of towing a boat to Lake Okeechobee. Crisp steering and poised maneuverability make the Ford Ranger one of the more fun-to-drive pickups in the class, whether you're coasting along Alligator Alley or heading off-road around Allapattah Flats. Available with a Super Cab and six-foot bed or a SuperCrew® and five-foot bed configuration, the Ranger is ready to put in a hard day's work and eager to play on the weekend. And with almost as much headroom and legroom as a midsize truck, the Ranger makes an excellent family vehicle.

Fully redesigned for the 2023 model year, the Chevy Colorado is currently only available with a crew cab, five-foot, two-inch short bed body style. The new-generation Chevy Colorado comes with upgrades under the hood and in the cabin, plus offers all of Chevrolet's available modern tech.

Reliability and Quality

J.D. Power analyzes unbiased information and feedback from independent VIN-verified consumers and uses the data to generate predicted reliability scores for new vehicles. Scores between 91 and 100 are "Best," between 81 and 90 are "Great," between 70 and 80 are "Average," and scores from 0 to 69 are considered below average and given a rating of "Fair."

Ranked #1 in Midsize Pickup by J.D. Power, the 2023 Ford Ranger received an overall rating of 83 with a score of 86 in the Quality and Reliability category.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado received an overall rating of 83 with a score of 85 for Quality and Reliability.

Performance and Efficiency

A spirited drive and excellent fuel efficiency are Ford Ranger trademarks. All three trim levels (XL, XLT, and LARIAT) are powered by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost® Engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology. The Ranger powertrain pairs either standard 4X2 rear-wheel drive (RWD) or available four-wheel drive (4WD) with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Ford Ranger Specifications

• 270 horsepower EcoBoost® engine
• 310 lb.-ft. of torque
• Fuel economy: 21 city / 26 highway mpg*
• Max towing capacity: 7,500 pounds**
• Payload rating: 1,905 pounds
• Standard six-way tie-down cleats
• Two front and one rear 12V power outlets

Turn typical outdoor play into an off-road adventure with the Tremor® Off-Road package. Available on 2023 Ford Ranger SuperCrew® and 4x4 XLT and LARIAT models, the Tremor® Off-Road package offers an off-road-tuned and lifted suspension. Additional package features include:

• Off-road-tuned shock absorbers
• FOX® dampers with rear reservoirs
• Electronic locking rear differential
• Black steel exposed bash plate
• Heavy-duty front and engine skid plates
• Front and rear tow hooks
• Off-road hoop steps for easier cab access
• All-terrain tires
• Six upfitter switches
• Terrain Management System™
• Ford Trail Control™

The 2023 Chevy Colorado has three new turbocharged engine options and a new eight-speed automatic transmission. From a bare-bones work truck to an off-road-tuned truck, the Colorado is available in five trims: WT, LT Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2.

Chevy Colorado Specifications

• 2.7-liter Turbo engine (237 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque)
• 2.7-liter Turbo Plus engine (310 horsepower and 391 lb.-ft. of torque)
• 2.7-liter Turbo High-Output engine (310 horsepower 430 lb.-ft. of torque)
• Fuel economy: 21 city / 26 highway mpg* depending on engine
• Max towing capacity: 7,500 pounds**
• Payload rating: 1,684 pounds
• Eight fixed pickup bed tie‐downs
• One 12-volt power outlet in the center console

Rather than an off-road package, the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is an off-road specialty trim. Some of the ZR2 model features include:

• High-performance three-inch lifted suspension and wider chassis
• Segment-exclusive Multimatic DSSV™ dampers
• Electronic selectable locking front and rear differentials
• Rocker panel protector and aluminum performance skid plates
• Five selectable drive modes (Baja, Off-Road, Terrain, Tow/Haul, and Normal)
• Off-road performance display
• StowFlex Tailgate with built-in lockable storage

Safety and Driving Assistance

All Ford Ranger models are equipped with Trailer Sway Control, Rear View Camera, AdvanceTrac™ with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™), and SOS Post-Crash Alert System™.

Beginning at XLT trim additional Ford Co-Pilot360™ features that come standard include:

• Pre-Collision Assist® with Automatic Emergency Braking
• BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System)
• Automatic high beams
• Lane-Keeping System

All Chevy Colorado models come equipped with Chevy Safety Assist, a standard set of driver assist and safety features. These include:

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Warning
• Following Distance Indicator
• IntelliBeam® auto high beam assist

Infotainment and Technology

When comparing the Ford Ranger vs Chevy Colorado, you'll find that both pickup trucks feature similar infotainment systems and several multimedia features at the base level. These include hands-free Bluetooth®*** connectivity, at least one USB port, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Starting with the Ford Ranger XLT trim, standard features include:

• Eight-inch LCD Capacitive Touchscreen in Center Stack
• AM/FM stereo radio with six speakers
• Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration
• SiriusXM® Satellite Radio
• FordPass® Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot
• 911 Assist®
• Applink®
• Voice-activated SYNC® 3 infotainment system

Starting with the base Chevy Colorado WT trim, standard features include:

• 11.3-inch diagonal center touchscreen with Google Built-in
• Eight-inch diagonal digital Driver Information Center
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
• OnStar® and Chevrolet Connected Services capabilities
• Remote Keyless Entry with Push-Button Start

Shop Ford Ranger Near Margate, FL

At AutoNation Ford Margate, drivers from Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines, Sunrise, Parkland, and Coconut Creek can learn more about the pros and cons of the Ford Ranger vs the Chevy Colorado in person.

Our dealership inventory features a superb selection of new and used Ford vehicles. Perhaps, while you're here, you want to test drive a used Ford F-150. As a Ford dealership, we receive lease returns regularly. We rigorously inspect the vehicles and only the best become part of our Certified Pre-Owned inventory. We also carry a variety of used cars, trucks, and SUVs from other manufacturers.

From the moment you step into the AutoNation Ford Margate showroom, you'll be treated to a no-hassle, no-pressure, straightforward car-buying experience.

Have questions about finance rates, loan terms, lease specials, or warranty options? Our finance department is ready to walk you through all your options to create a financing plan that fits your budget.

For the most exceptional selection of top-quality Ford Rangers in the Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines, Sunrise, Parkland, and Coconut Creek areas, visit AutoNation Ford Margate.

*Preliminary EPA-estimated figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on speed, driving habits, trip length and driving conditions; actual mileage may be lower. Note for MPGe: All data are provisional and subject to official confirmation. The provisional power consumption figures have been calculated based on the ECE test cycle.

**Before towing, confirm your vehicle and trailer are compatible, hooked up and loaded properly and that you have any necessary additional equipment. The maximum you can tow depends on base curb weight plus the total weight of any cargo, occupants, and added vehicle equipment.

***Bluetooth® is a registered mark Bluetooth SIG, INC.