Midsize vans have by no means been higher. They’ve additionally by no means been newer on the identical time, as three of one of the best sellers have been utterly redesigned inside two years of one another (4 for those who depend the Colorado’s GMC Canyon twin). On this comparability of specs and impressions from Autoblog critiques, we have a look at the 2024 Ford Ranger and 2024 Chevrolet Colorado, together with their efficiency off-road variations, the Ranger Raptor and Colorado ZR2.
In the end, which one in all these midsize vans is best for you in all probability comes down to non-public want – are you in search of a piece truck, a smaller and extra maneuverable day by day driver than a full-sizer, or a bad-ass, gorge-jumping off-road truck? Possibly one thing in between? Regardless of the reply, there’s a good probability the Ranger will likely be a more sensible choice for one whereas the Colorado is best for one more. It may additionally come right down to your funds or how a lot gear you’re in search of.
We check out varied attributes beneath to see which of the Colorado and Ranger may be higher suited to totally different priorities and preferences.
Which is extra highly effective?
Winner: Ford
The Ranger’s customary 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Colorado Work Truck and LT trims have a 2.7-liter turbo-four good for 237 hp and 260 lb-ft. For those who’re decrease trim degree vans, the Ranger has an enormous benefit. The Path Boss and Z71 “high-output” model of the two.7-liter cranks issues up significantly to 310 hp and 391 lb-ft. The ZR2 produces 430 lb-ft. That’s clearly a substantial benefit over the Ford, however the Ranger will quickly be out there with a 2.7-liter turbo V6 good for 315 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. We didn’t know which trim ranges this will likely be supplied with or how a lot it’ll value on the time of this writing, particularly relative the high-output Chevy trim ranges.
In the end, then, this can be a arduous one to reply, however contemplating Chevy has no actual reply for the Ranger Raptor’s 3.0-liter turbo V6 (405 hp, 430 lb-ft), we’re giving this one to Ford on the entire.
Which will get higher gasoline economic system?
Winner: Ford
The Ranger’s customary 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder returns 22 mpg mixed no matter whether or not you get a rear- or four-wheel-drive truck. Choosing the two.7-liter turbo V6 lowers gasoline economic system to twenty mpg mixed. The Colorado’s customary 2.7-liter turbo-four manages 21 mpg mixed with RWD and 20 mpg mixed with 4WD. Its high-output 2.7-liter engine improve lowers gasoline economic system to 19 mpg mixed (4WD solely) or 16 mpg with the ZR2. Even the Ranger Raptor achieves 17, so benefit Ford throughout the board.
Which tows extra?
Winner: Colorado
The Ranger’s max tow ranking is 7,500 kilos, no matter engine and drivetrain. The Colorado is 7,700 kilos, so it eeks this one out.
Which has a nicer inside?
Winner: Ranger
When it comes to design, we might in all probability say the Colorado has the extra enticing inside. That’s particularly the case in higher trims that add padded simulated leather-based to inside surfaces and colourful contrasting stitching. That mentioned, the Ranger has extra constant supplies high quality all through its trim degree lineup. There’s a a lot greater distinction between the arduous plastics present in a Colorado LT and the ritzier trappings in a Z71. After all, for those who actually need a good truck inside, testing the Colorado’s GMC Canyon sibling is a good suggestion, particularly the Denali.
Which has higher infotainment know-how?
Winner: Tie
That is actually arduous as a result of each vans have spectacular touchscreen infotainment programs. Each Colorado has an 11.3-inch landscape-oriented touchscreen working a user-friendly interface with Google Constructed-in software program that runs Google Maps and affords up extra apps from the Google Play Retailer. That’s along with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ranger has two touchscreen measurement choices, 10- and 12-inches, each of that are portrait-oriented. It’s truly a bit tough to inform them aside. We like that you would be able to break up the display between a brand new, square-orientation Apple just lately devised for CarPlay together with an extra native Ford menu display. We’re going to name this one a tie, as a result of each Ford and Chevy programs are fairly good, and it might actually come down to non-public desire.
Which has the larger again seat?
Winner: Tie
Each vans are actually solely supplied with crew cab physique kinds. Additionally they have nearly the identical quantity of legroom on paper at 34.6 inches for the Ranger and 34.7 inches for the Colorado. The Ranger has 1.5 inch extra rear headroom, however we’ve had somebody 6-foot-3 behind each and his head wasn’t touching the ceiling in both case. It is a tie.
Which has extra cargo capability and performance
Winner: Chevrolet
The again seats could provide the identical area, however the Colorado’s is extra versatile. Its seat backside is break up 60/40, making it simpler to hold baggage or different cargo on one aspect whereas nonetheless maintaining a seat open. The Ranger has a one-piece seat backside that flips up, or a one-piece seatback that folds right down to retailer cargo on high. Principally, you’re selecting between individuals or cargo.
The Colorado’s mattress is 5-foot-1-inch lengthy. It includes a intelligent tailgate design that features a storage compartment and a help wire that may be hooked in such a method that the tailgate stays propped open half method. We additionally just like the Colorado’s nook steps that make it simpler to step into the mattress. The Ranger has aspect steps between the bumper and wheel, but it surely’s extra supposed for leaning over the aspect of the mattress. The mattress itself can also be a whisker shy of 5 toes lengthy, so it’s technically smaller. Each vans provide a 120-volt energy outlet within the mattress.
Clockwise from high left: Energy retailers and aspect step of the Ford Ranger; nook step and tailgate storage bin of the Chevy Colorado
Which is safer?
Winner: Inconclusive
Each the Colorado and Ranger include a big suite of driver help programs as customary gear together with ahead collision warning and computerized emergency braking, auto high-beams, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping help. Blind-spot warning is included on all Rangers however the base XL. That function is included within the Colorado’s non-obligatory Security bundle together with enhancements not out there on the Ford: blind-zone steering help and rear cross-traffic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise management is non-obligatory on each.
Neither the Colorado nor Ranger have been crash examined by a 3rd get together. As such, the Colorado could have a bonus right here for those who examine the Security bundle field, however in any other case that is inconclusive with out crash take a look at scores.
Which is best to drive?
Winner: Ford
We haven’t had an opportunity to drive this pair straight back-to-back, however in our expertise, the Ranger is the extra refined truck. It nonetheless has the standard body-on-frame wiggling and jiggling over bumps, however its damping is spot-on, sopping up greater bumps whereas controlling rebound exceptionally properly. It feels refined. Chassis response and physique motions on winding mountain roads are additionally excellent for a small truck, however the steering is just too numb, particularly on heart, and is a letdown given the remainder of the dynamic bundle.
The Colorado is spectacular in its personal proper by small truck requirements with higher steering than the Ranger, however we don’t assume its experience and dealing with are fairly as spectacular. We additionally discover its high-output engine to be very whistly and gravelly within the noises it makes, whereas its base engine is a tad gutless.
Ford Ranger XLT and Chevy Colorado Path Boss
When was the final time they have been redesigned?
Winner: Tie
The Ranger is new for 2024, whereas the Colorado was all new for 2023. The Ranger’s body dates again additional, although, so we suppose it wasn’t actually all-new. We’re undecided how a lot that issues. Their newness is analogous, this isn’t a defining issue.
Are there variations that stand out greater than others?
Winner: Tie
Each the Colorado and Ranger provide off-roader fashions which can be extraordinarily succesful and very cool. The Ranger Raptor (pictured beneath left) boasts extra energy and a coil spring rear suspension, whereas the Colorado ZR2’s DSSV spool-valve dampers work wonders off-road and on. The ZR2 Bison (pictured beneath proper) then takes issues even additional because the unquestioned rock-crawling mountain goat of the group. We’re undecided the way you objectively decide amongst them. Relies on style and what you wish to do.
Which gives higher worth?
Winner: Chevrolet
That is sophisticated given engine selections and variations in non-obligatory packages and trim ranges. Aside from the equally priced entry-level trims, the Colorado and Ranger trims don’t actually align. On the whole, although, it’s cheaper to get into the Colorado. Even the ZR2 is about $7,000 cheaper to start out than the Raptor.