Compare the2023 Chevrolet ColoradoVS 2024 Ford Ranger

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 Ranger offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Colorado with Rear Cross Traffic Alert also has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Ranger’s Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Colorado and the Ranger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

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

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Colorado has a standard 170-amp alternator (220-amp - Colorado optional). The Ranger’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Colorado has a 800-amp battery. The Ranger only offers a standard 700-amp battery.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 above average in initial quality. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 2 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The Colorado has more powerful engines than the Ranger:

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Colorado uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Ranger requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Colorado has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Ranger (21.5 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

For better traction, the Colorado ZR2’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ranger (285/70R17 vs. 255/70R17).

The Colorado Trail Boss’ optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ranger’s optional 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Colorado Trail Boss offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Ranger’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Colorado’s wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the Ranger (131.4 inches vs. 128.7 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Colorado ZR2 has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Ranger (10.7 vs. 9.3 inches), allowing the Colorado to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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.

The Colorado has 1.5 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room and .1 inches more rear legroom than the Ranger.

The Chevrolet Colorado has a standard CornerStep, which allows for much easier access to the cargo area. A Integrated Box Side Step costs extra on the Ford Ranger.

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

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

The Colorado Trail Boss/Z71/ZR2 can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Colorado can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Ranger can’t be towed flat on the ground.

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 standard front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Ranger’s passenger windows don’t open automatically.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Colorado Z71/ZR2 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Ranger doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the Colorado and the Ranger offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Colorado offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Ranger doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Motor Trend selected the Colorado as their 2024 Truck of the Year. The Ranger has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Colorado outsold the Ford Ranger by 56% during 2022.