Compare the2023 Ford MaverickVS 2022 Chevrolet Colorado

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Payload
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Ford Maverick has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Colorado doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Maverick has standard Automatic Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Colorado offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The Maverick has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Colorado doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Maverick’s optional Cross-Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Colorado doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The Maverick’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Colorado doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Maverick uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Colorado uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Maverick and the Colorado have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot 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 Ford Maverick is safer than the Chevrolet Colorado:

	Maverick	Colorado
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	129	210
Neck Injury Risk	22%	28.7%
Neck Stress	234 lbs.	287 lbs.
Neck Compression	11 lbs.	92 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	139/49 lbs.	301/266 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	202	309
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	184 lbs.	300 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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Maverick is safer than the Chevrolet Colorado:

	Maverick	Colorado
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	150 lbs.	203 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	458 lbs.	716 lbs.

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 Maverick, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 4.3% to 6.5% less likely to roll over than the Colorado, which received a three-star rating.

Warranty

The Maverick’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Colorado’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Maverick’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Colorado’s camshafts. If the Colorado’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The Maverick has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Colorado doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Ford Maverick Hybrid’s reliability 40 points higher than the Colorado and the Ford Maverick is rated 44 points higher than the Colorado.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 2 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The Maverick’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (250 vs. 200) and 86 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 191) than the Colorado’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Maverick Hybrid is faster than the Chevrolet Colorado (base engine):

	Maverick	Colorado
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.2 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	9.3 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	12.5 sec	16.1 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.7 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89.7 MPH	82.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Maverick
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	40 city/33 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy
		Tremor 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
Colorado
	RWD	2.8 turbo 4-cyl. Diesel	20 city/30 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	19 city/25 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/25 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
		ZR2 3.6 DOHC V6	16 city/18 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Maverick Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Colorado doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Maverick’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Colorado doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Maverick higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Chevrolet Colorado (3 to 6). This means the Maverick produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Colorado every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Maverick Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Colorado doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Maverick’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Colorado:

	Maverick	Colorado
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	12.2 inches

The Maverick stops much shorter than the Colorado:

	Maverick	Colorado
70 to 0 MPH	158 feet	206 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	135 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Maverick has fully independent front and semi-independent rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Colorado has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Maverick has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Maverick flat and controlled during cornering. The Colorado’s suspension doesn’t offer stabilizer bars.

The front and rear suspension of the Maverick uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the Colorado, which uses leaf springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Maverick XLT AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Colorado Short Box ZR2 Crew Cab pulls only .68 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Maverick’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Colorado Extended Cab’s (40 feet vs. 41.3 feet). The Maverick’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the Colorado Long Box Crew Cab’s (40 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

Chassis

The Ford Maverick may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 1250 pounds less than the Chevrolet Colorado.

The Maverick is 1 foot, 1 inches shorter than the Colorado Short Box Crew Cab, making the Maverick easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction makes the Maverick’s chassis much stiffer, which contributes to better handling, and enables softer springs to be used for a better ride. Unibody construction’s stiffness also contributes to better durability and less body squeaks and rattles. The Colorado doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Maverick XLT AWD is quieter than the Colorado Short Box ZR2 Crew Cab (39 vs. 45 dB).

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over bed design makes loading and unloading the Maverick easier. The Maverick’s bed lift-over height is 30.1 inches, while the Colorado Extended Cab’s liftover is 34.2 inches. The Colorado Crew Cab’s liftover is 34.5 inches.

An optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Maverick. The Colorado doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Payload

The Maverick has a higher standard payload capacity than the Colorado:

	Maverick	Colorado
Crew Cab	1500 lbs.	1400 lbs.
Crew Cab 4x4	1500 lbs.	1460 lbs.

Ergonomics

The Maverick’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Colorado’s parking brake has to be released manually.

Intelligent Access standard on the Maverick Lariat allows you to unlock the driver’s door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Chevrolet Colorado doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Maverick Hybrid has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Colorado doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Maverick’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Colorado’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Maverick’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Colorado’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen. The Maverick’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Colorado’s optional projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Maverick’s headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Colorado’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Maverick detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Colorado doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Maverick Lariat’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Colorado doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Maverick Lariat offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Colorado doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Maverick offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Colorado doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Economic Advantages

The Maverick will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Maverick will retain 60.94% to 61.31% of its original price after five years, while the Colorado only retains 51.7% to 59.95%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Maverick will be $10027 to $14383 less than for the Chevrolet Colorado.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Ford Maverick Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Maverick third among midsize pickups in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Colorado isn’t in the top three.

The Maverick was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. Car and Driver has never chosen the Colorado in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Maverick as the 2022 North American Truck of the Year. The Colorado has never been chosen.

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