Compare the2022 Chevrolet ColoradoVS 2021 Ford Ranger

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Colorado and Ranger have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Colorado has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Ranger’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Colorado are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Ranger doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Full-time four-wheel drive is optional on the Colorado. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the Ranger.

Both the Colorado and the Ranger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, lane departure warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Colorado is safer than the Ford Ranger:

	Colorado	Ranger
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	28.7%	35%
Neck Stress	287 lbs.	363 lbs.
Neck Compression	92 lbs.	94 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	301/266 lbs.	705/152 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	309	344
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	110 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	39/32 lbs.	509/287 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Colorado is safer than the Ford Ranger:

	Colorado	Ranger
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	1 inches	1.1 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Colorado is 3.6% to 8% less likely to roll over than the Ranger.

Warranty

The Colorado’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Ranger’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 12th in reliability, above the industry average. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 5 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The Colorado’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 38 more horsepower (308 vs. 270) than the Ranger’s 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder.

The Colorado’s 2.8 turbo diesel produces 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 310) than the Ranger’s 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Colorado V6 is faster than the Ford Ranger:

	Colorado	Ranger
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.1 MPH	91 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Colorado gets better mileage than the Ranger:

			MPG
Colorado
	RWD	2.8 turbo 4-cyl. Diesel	20 city/30 hwy
	AWD	2.8 turbo 4-cyl. Diesel	19 city/28 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	19 city/24 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/24 hwy
		ZR2 2.8 turbo 4-cyl. Diesel	18 city/22 hwy
Ranger
	RWD	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy
	AWD	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
		Tremor 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/19 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Colorado V6’s fuel efficiency. The Ranger doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Colorado has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Ranger (21 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Colorado has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Ranger doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The Colorado stops much shorter than the Ranger:

	Colorado	Ranger
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	193 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	140 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Colorado’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ranger’s standard 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Colorado has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Ranger.

The Colorado has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Ranger doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The Colorado has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Ranger doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Colorado’s wheelbase is longer than on the Ranger:

	Colorado	Ranger
Extended Cab Standard Bed	128.3 inches	126.8 inches
Crew Cab Short Bed	128.3 inches	126.8 inches
Crew Cab Standard Bed	140.5 inches	n/a

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Colorado is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Ranger.

The Colorado Short Box Z71 Crew Cab 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the Ranger Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Colorado Short Box Z71 Crew Cab 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Ranger Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 (27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 29.1 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Colorado Extended Cab’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the Ranger’s (41.3 feet vs. 42.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Colorado Short Box ZR2 Crew Cab has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Ranger SuperCrew Tremor (10 vs. 9.7 inches), allowing the Colorado to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Colorado uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Ranger doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Colorado Short Box Z71 Crew Cab 4x4 is quieter than the Ranger XLT SuperCrew 4x4 (37 vs. 39 dB).

Passenger Space

The Colorado Extended Cab has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Ranger SuperCab.

The Colorado Crew Cab has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room and 1.3 inches more rear legroom than the Ranger SuperCrew.

Cargo Capacity

The Chevrolet Colorado offers an optional EZ-Lift and Lower, which prevents the heavy tailgate from falling with a crash and causing injury. It allows adults and children to easily open and close the tailgate with one hand to better facilitate loading and unloading. The Ford Ranger doesn’t offer a tailgate assist.

The Chevrolet Colorado has a standard CornerStep (not available ZR2), which allows for much easier access to the cargo area. The Ford Ranger doesn’t offer a rear cargo step.

The Colorado has bed indentations that accommodate 2x4’s for two-tiered loading to help accommodate diverse loads; the Ranger doesn’t offer two-tiered loading.

The Colorado has stake post holes, to allow the containment of tall, light loads. The Ranger doesn’t offer stake post holes.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Ranger is limited to 7500 pounds. The Colorado Crew Cab offers up to a 7700 lbs. towing capacity.

Ergonomics

The Colorado’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Ranger does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Colorado and the Ranger have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Colorado is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Ranger prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Colorado’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Ranger’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Colorado’s optional power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Ranger’s optional power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

On extremely cold winter days, the Colorado’s optional (except Work Truck) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Ranger doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Bluetooth wireless connectivity is standard on the Colorado, connecting the driver and passenger’s cell phones to the vehicle systems. This allows them to use the vehicle’s stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Bluetooth costs extra on the Ranger.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Colorado Z71/ZR2 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Ranger doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Colorado owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Colorado will cost $835 less than the Ranger over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Colorado is less expensive to operate than the Ranger because typical repairs cost less on the Colorado than the Ranger, including $77 less for a water pump, $128 less for a muffler, $55 less for a starter, $79 less for fuel injection, $158 less for a fuel pump, $78 less for a timing belt/chain and $31 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its May 2019 issue and they ranked the Chevrolet Colorado Short Box Z71 Crew Cab 4x4 first. They ranked the Ford Ranger XLT SuperCrew 4x4 fourth.

Motor Trend selected the Colorado as their 2016 Truck of the Year. The Ranger has never been chosen.