An American rivalry in a smaller, yet still important place, this time in the mid-size truck segment. For decades the Silverado and F-150 have been battling to win the hearts of truck drivers, each offering their own niche within their class. As those vehicles grew into the lane-hogging beasts, more and more drivers gravitated towards their smaller counterparts.
The Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger have successfully made their mark on the market and now more than ever, there is reason to have these welterweight models on your radar. Chevy has been moving along with the Colorado by steadily adding upgrades and new models over the years. Ford decided to give the humble ranger a break and instead of redesigning the old model, they brought back the Ranger name to America with the global model to serve its small truck duties.
Now though, for the 2023 and 2024 models, both trucks have been redesigned bringing a fresh new take on the mid-size pickups. The upcoming Ford Ranger and freshly redesigned Chevrolet Colorado are packing punches in both high levels of capability, and interior creature comforts. Here are five reasons you might choose either over the other, and certainly over the rest of the competition.
10 The Chevy Colorado Has Just Been Redesigned
Brand new for the 2023 model year, Chevrolet has introduced the newest Colorado. What the humble mid-size pickup has evolved into is quite the stunner. The new Chevy Colorado has new styling and beefy proportions that more closely match those of the larger Silverado. While still a relatively compact package, there’s no doubt the Colorado has grown in size, certainly in the visual department.
There is something satisfying about brand cohesion though, and making the Colorado more Silverado-like shouldn’t be viewed as a negative, considering how luxurious the Silverado has become. Trickling down of clever design and materials is a big win for the Chevrolet Colorado.
9 The New Colorado Is Currently Available To The Public
Unlike the newest Ford Ranger, the freshly redesigned Chevrolet Colorado is available to purchase right now. Ford has launched the Ranger in some markets but is more slowly rolling out its debut as a global vehicle.
Chevrolet wasted no time launching the Colorado in its home market, the USA, where most drivers will undoubtedly choose it over other medium-sized trucks or even SUVs. The interior has also received a heavy redesign, bringing some suave looks, and materials inside the pickup. Drivers can enjoy its newness now while we wait for Ranger to become available in the United States.
8 The ZR2 Model Will Impress Off-Road Enthusiasts
Chevrolet’s first ZR2 Colorado has been a huge hit with off-road enthusiasts. A lifted, big-tire, more powerful, densely-featured Colorado is what the ZR2 is, and it has become an off-road icon. Colorado ZR2 emerged before the Silverado ZR2 and its success along with the capability the ZR2 treatment brings to the Colorado most likely led Ford to Raptorize the Ranger to compete.
For some the F-150 and Silverado are simply too large and become cumbersome when the trail becomes narrow or overgrown with brush. The Colorado ZR2, with its Multimatic DSSV shocks, brings greater suspension travel, whilst accurately controlling the vehicle under varying load/velocity situations. This is due to the way the shock allows fluid to flow within the shock chamber itself. The specialized shocks are particularly resistant to performance fading due to heat as well.
7 The WT Entry Level Colorado Model Starts At $30,000
The Colorado WT is an important vehicle for Chevrolet. They know it has to essentially do the job of two vehicles in the span of one model. Ford has introduced the Maverick, a compact truck that more spiritually succeeds the last Ranger we saw. Chevrolet doesn’t currently offer a competitor to that vehicle, so the Colorado has to play into the work truck game a little harder.
The Maverick starts at $22,595 but can jump past $30,000 in the Lariat trim. For essentially the same money, you can get a WT trim Colorado that offers the next level up in capability and still have some of the goodies from the fresh redesign. This is a smart move by GM, showing the versatility of the Colorado from WT to ZR2 can be quite the jump in price, and luxuries.
6 Chevrolet Colorado Offers Best In Class Towing Capability
It wasn’t long ago that in order to achieve a decent tow rating, it meant a full-size pickup with a large V-8 rumbling away was needed. Now though the smaller pickup trucks are catching up, and the Colorado is no slouch. In fact the Chevy Colorado currently offers a best in class 7,700 pound tow rating.
This is a highly impressive figure considering it is powered by a 2.7-liter four-cylinder (as all Colorado variants now are). This shows how efficiency and clever engineering can be quite a powerful pair when it comes to hauling your many things. The Ford Ranger isn’t far off from that figure, but for now the Colorado remains the towing king.
5 The Ford Ranger Has Also Been Redesigned
Like the Colorado, the Ranger has been due for a redesign, and although Ford has not launched the new Truck in America yet, it is sure to impress when it will be officially unveiled for the U.S. this year. The Ranger is available in other markets, but for now the previous model soldiers on. The new Ford Ranger offers upgrades in both interior materials, exterior design (both cosmetic and function), as well as upgraded powertrains.
Like the Colorado more closely matching the Silverado and other higher end Chevys, the Ranger is mimicking its big brother, the F-150 in terms of exterior styling. On the inside, you’ll find more of a mix of global market generic ranger and the large infotainment found in the Mustang Mach-E.
4 There Will Most Likely Be An Electrified Ford Ranger Available
With smaller pickups (and small vehicles in general) the added benefit of leaning into the economic aspect could be greatly assisted here with a PHEV or perhaps even an all-electric version of the Ford Ranger. Ford already has the Maverick hybrid, so adding an electrified Ranger only makes sense. Ford also offers a hybridized F-150 alongside the all-electric F-150 Lightning, so a PHEV Ranger is certainly in the cards.
We don’t expect a fully-electric Ranger like the Lightning just yet as the platform Ford is still using for the Ranger is a gasoline-focused global chassis. Perhaps a next-generation Ranger will employ an all-electric strategy. Until then, EcoBoost turbocharged inline-fours and V-6s will drive the Ranger forward until the hybrid model emerges.
3 Expect Fantastic Infotainment
Like many new Fords, the Ranger is adopting a portrait style, oversized infotainment screen that controls many of the vehicles in-cabin, as well as general features. Purists worry not as there are still physical volume and dual-zone climate control knobs to control those quick functions. Steering wheel buttons controlling the fully digital and configurable instrument display are present, as well as the Raptor signature oversized shift paddles.
Not only is the new 12.4-inch screen much larger than the old Ranger's 8.0-inch landscape-style screen, it also features Ford’s newest software, a massive leap from the aged, basic infotainment system of the outgoing Ranger. Both new digital displays vastly modernize the Rangers interior, while also bringing more connectivity features.
2 You Can Still Get A V-6 In The Ford Ranger
Upgrade to the Raptor variant of the Ford Ranger, and you’ll be hurled across almost any terrain by (at least) 392 horsepower and matching the Colorado ZR2’s 430 foot-pounds of torque. That’s 82 horsepower more than Colorado ZR2 from its 3.0 liter V-6 which also sounds much more aggressive than Chevrolet’s four-cylinder. There are rumors that the Ranger Raptor may match the Bronco Raptor’s 418 horsepower figure, and would give it a massive 108 horsepower leap over the Colorado ZR2.
The 3.0 liter V-6 and 2.3 inline-4 EcoBoost turbocharged engines will be mated to Fords version of the GM/Ford developed 10-speed transmission, a gearbox in which both companies have garnered fans in various different applications. It’s overall a versatile transmission with quick response and quick, predictable spacing between gears, yet for some reason Chevrolet isn’t using it for the new Colorado.
1 The Raptor Version Will Probably Dominate
When it comes to off-road handling prowess, few others can match the performance of a Raptor badged Ford. With another inch or so of suspension travel than the ZR2, the Raptor remains the shock absorber leader with its FOX “Live-Valve” setup that is electronically controlled, as well as major suspension hardware and geometry upgrades. Like other Raptor models before it, the Ranger Raptor will focus on high-speed off-roading by deploying high power, strong components, and a ton of noise.
That noisy attitude comes both visually with its bright orange color scheme inside and out, as well as a configurable exhaust system in addition to its many drive modes. ZR2 by comparison is more of a general, but still capable off-roader, leaving much of the experience up to the driver to deliver excitement rather than the equipment itself having a chance to shine.