Ford Ranger vs Chevrolet Colorado

Nothing gets around the Geneva, Rochester, and Canandaigua areas quite like a pickup truck can. You don’t even need a full-size model to enjoy some of the best features modern pickup trucks can offer. If you’re looking to upgrade to a new model, however, you’ll have a lot of options to choose from, as the truck market has gotten incredibly competitive lately.

Among the best midsize truck models is the new 2019 Ford Ranger. Certainly impressive, the Chevrolet Colorado stands out as well. Both can offer truly satisfying driving experiences, but only one can be the perfect answer for your next ride. Find out which one in our comprehensive 2019 Ford Ranger vs. Chevrolet Colorado comparison.

Capability

The most important factor in any truck is its capability, and both pickups impress in that regard. The Chevy Colorado offers an admirable towing capacity of 7,000 pounds, but that’s only on the V6 engine. Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger offers a 7,500-pound towing capacity on its sole 2.3-liter EcoBoost® 4-cylinder engine. That much capacity is available at the base level Ford Ranger, while the standard Chevy Colorado engine can only handle a 3,500-pound towing capacity.

In terms of payload, the Ford Ranger maintains its edge. At most, the Chevy Colorado can handle up to 1,574 pounds in the bed. While that inches past the standard payload of 1,560 pounds for the Ford Ranger, the upgraded version can handle all the way up to 1,860 pounds when equipped with the 4×2 SuperCab setup.

Performance

You’ll find powerful engines under the hoods of these pickups, but the Ford Ranger likes to keep things simple. Across all the trim levels, the Ford Ranger just has one incredible engine option. The 2.3-liter Ti-VCT I-4 engine boasts an impressive 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the standard Chevy Colorado features a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque.

The Chevy Colorado can always be bolstered with a V6 engine, but that doesn’t exactly put the Chevy Colorado in a fair position compared to the Ford Ranger when it comes to fuel economy. The Ford Ranger is ranked among the best in its class in that regard, while the V6 Chevy Colorado struggles to keep up. Additionally, the V6 engine is your only option if you want 4-wheel drive on the Colorado. The Ranger lets you maintain your efficiency with its 4-wheel drive upgrade. Want more? Check out our 2019 Ford Ranger review!

Extra Features

Most pickup trucks are so impressive in terms of power these days that you have to look at the extra features to spot the real differences. Between the Ford Ranger and the Chevy Colorado, the technological features tend to favor the Ford Ranger. One of the most advanced features is the Tow-Optimized Blind-Spot Monitoring system that will send alerts not only when a vehicle is in your blind spot, but also when one is in your trailer’s blind spot. The Chevy Colorado cannot offer the same.

The infotainment system on the Chevy Colorado is also notably surpassed by the available SYNC® 3 system in the Ford Ranger. Both feature Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ connectivity features, but the Ford Ranger also offers on-board 4G LTE Wi-Fi®, allowing you and your passengers to stay connected.