Compare the2025 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.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Colorado has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Ranger XLT/Lariat offers Cross Traffic Alert and the Ranger’s Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

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 and available 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’ 2024 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 second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 9th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 65 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 23rd.

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’s 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (310 vs. 270) and 120 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 310) than the Ranger’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder. The Colorado’s 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 400) than the Ranger’s optional 2.7 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Colorado is faster than the Ford Ranger turbo 4 cyl.:

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 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Colorado has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Ranger (21.4 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:

The Colorado stops much shorter than the Ranger:

For better traction, the Colorado ZR2 Bison’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ranger (315/70R17 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).

The Colorado LT 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the Ranger XLT 4x4 pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Colorado LT 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Ranger XLT 4x4 (27 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Colorado LT 4x4’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Ranger’s (41.5 feet vs. 42.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Colorado ZR2 Bison has a 2.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Ranger (12.2 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.

The Colorado’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Ranger’s (7700 vs. 7500 pounds).

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.

The Colorado has a standard Push Button Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Ranger Lariat offers Intelligent Access.

The Colorado’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Ranger Lariat.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Colorado (except WT/Trail Boss) 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 has standard 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 over two to one during 2023.