Compare the2023 Ford RangerVS 2023 Chevrolet Colorado

The Ranger’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.

Both the Ranger and the Colorado 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available four-wheel drive, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, front and rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Ranger the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 230 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Colorado has not been tested, yet.

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

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 Ranger’s reliability 17 points higher than the Colorado.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ranger first among midsize pickups in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Colorado isn’t in the top three in its category.

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.

The Ranger’s 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (270 vs. 237) and 50 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 260) than the Colorado’s standard 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Ranger, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Colorado.

The Ranger’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Colorado are solid, not vented.

The Ranger has a standard full size spare so a flat doesn’t interrupt your work or a trip. A full size spare costs extra on the Colorado. Without the option you must depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Ranger is 8.1 inches shorter in height than the Colorado, making the Ranger much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The Ranger SuperCrew has a much larger cargo box than the Colorado shortbed (43.3 vs. 41.9 cubic feet).

The Ranger’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Colorado’s (7500 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Ranger has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Colorado:

The Ranger SuperCrew has a higher optional payload capacity than the Colorado (1818 vs. 1710 lbs.).

The Ranger’s driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Colorado’s standard driver’s power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Ranger’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Colorado doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Ford Ranger comes in extended cab and crew cab bodystyles; the Chevrolet Colorado isn’t available as an extended cab.