The mid-size truck segment has some exciting options available for 2020. Two competitors in this segment are the 2020 Ford Ranger which was reintroduced in 2019 after an eight-year absence, and the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado. With similar attributes, it may be hard to determine which is the better option. The Ranger starts at a slightly higher price of $24,410 compared to the Colorado which starts at $21,300. Here is a side by side comparison to find out if that higher price point is worth it.
Fuel Efficiency
The Colorado comes out slightly ahead when it comes to fuel efficiency with up to 20 mpg City / 30 mpg Highway. However, the Ranger gets a higher City rating of up to 21 mpg, but is only able to achieve up to 26 mpg Highway.
Mechanical
The 2.3L EcoBoost® engine with Auto Start/Stop Technology is the only engine offered across the Ranger’s lineup. With 270 horsepower and a best-in-class torque of 310 lb. ft it’s sure to knock your socks off. The engine is paired with a 10-speed SelectShift® transmission making the ride even more enjoyably smooth.
On the other hand, the Colorado has three engines across its lineup. The standard 2.5L 4-cylinder engine can produce up to 200 horsepower and 191 lb. ft. torque. Unfortunately, it only has a max towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.
The second engine in their lineup is the 3.6L DOHC V6. This engine has the ability to produce 308 horsepower and 275 lb. ft torque. This engine has the capability to tow up to 7,000 lbs., however that comes with the sacrifice of some fuel efficiency. This engine can only achieve up to 18 mpg City / 25 mpg Highway, which is much lower than that of the Ranger even though the power is closely comparable to that of the Ranger, and still it can’t tow as much as the standard engine in the Ranger.
The Colorado’s most premium available engine is a Duramax® 2.8L Turbo-Diesel. This engine can produce up to 181 horsepower and an impressive 369 lb. ft. torque and because it’s a diesel it can achieve up to 20 mpg City / 30 mpg Highway. This engine is only an option with the upgraded ZR2 trim, so it comes with a pretty hefty price tag.
Towing / Payload
The Colorado has a slightly higher 7,700 lbs. max towing capacity when properly equipped, compared to the Ranger’s max towing of 7,500 lbs. Although, if payload is more important to you, the Ranger has a best-in-class payload of 1,860 lbs. compared to that of the Colorado sitting at 1,578 lbs.
Off-Road Capability
Both mid size trucks offer unique off-road specific packages or trims.
The Ranger’s FX4 Off-Road Package includes:
- Terrain Management System™ with Four Selectable Drive Modes
- Normal
- Grass/Gravel/Snow
- Mud/Ruts
- Sand
- Electronic-Locking Rear Differential
- Trail Control™
- Off-road cruise control system
- Exposed Steel Front Bash Plate
- Undercarriage Skid Plates
- Off-Road-Tuned Monotube Shocks
Each of these features except the monotube shocks are individual addons that can be upgraded even without upgrading to the entire FX4 Off-Road Package. The Ranger also has the best breakover angles in its class providing an even more aggressive off-roading vehicle.
The Colorado’s ZR2 Trim includes:
- Duramax® 2.8L Turbo-Diesel Engine
- Multimatic™ Shocks
- Front/Rear Electronic Locking Differentials
- Factory-Installed Lift
- Skid Plates
- Rock Sliders
Since the Colorado’s ZR2 is an actual trim upgrade instead of just an additional package, it includes a more rugged exterior appearance than the Ranger’s FX4 Off-Road Package. However, the ZR2 trim can only tow up to 5,000 lbs., which is a huge disadvantage against the Ranger’s original max towing capabilities.
When it comes right down to it, you can buy a lower cost Ranger and purchase the additional FX4 Off-Road Package for an impressively lower cost than having to upgrade to the top trim option in the Colorado. If you are looking for the added off-road exterior to match off-road capability, then the Colorado ZR2 is the way to go. However, if you want something more cost effective while still achieving the same level of off-road capability, then the Ranger with the added FX4 Off-Road package can provide those things for you, it just won’t have the extremely rugged exterior to match.
Interior Comfort and Technology
In terms of interior comfort, both trucks have available heated leather front bucket seats, however the Ranger is the only of the two that has available Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control.
Both vehicles have an available 4.2” productivity screen and 8” LCD touchscreen display. The biggest difference in the user interface of each system is the smartphon-like, pinch-to-zoom technology that is available in the Ranger and not in the Colorado.
Each truck is equipped with its own unique variation of device charging capabilities which include USB ports, and various power outlets. The Colorado, however, has the ability to be upgraded to wireless charging whereas the Ranger doesn’t. They both have Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities making connectivity issues a worry of the past.
The Ranger’s available 10-speaker B&O Sound System that includes a 675 watt amplifier and speed adaptive volume control far outweighs the Colorado’s available 7-speaker Bose® Audio System.
Safety
The Ranger and Colorado come equipped with a Rear View Camera, Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control System, and their unique versions of customizable keyfobs. The Ranger’s MyKey® and the Colorado’s Teen Driver feature allow you to set speed limits and other things like max radio volume to help keep your young driver safer while using their designated keyfob. The Ranger also comes standard with Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking whereas the Colorado only has an available Pre-Collision Alert system. The standard Curve Control and SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ that come on the Ranger are added bonuses the Colorado doesn’t offer.
They both have available safety options such as a Reverse Sensing System / Rear Park Assist, Blind Spot / Zone Monitoring, Lane Keeping / Departure Systems, Cross-Traffic Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Additionally, the Ranger offers a Forward Sensing System, Automatic High Beams, and Rain-Sensing Wipers, none of which are options for the Colorado.
Conclusion
Although the Ranger’s starting price is higher than the Colorado, the top trim for each truck is quite different. The Ranger’s top trim starts at an affordable $32,500, compared to the $41,400 it would cost you to get into the top Colorado trim. Added benefits of the Ranger’s engine, towing capacity, reasonable fuel efficiency, increased infotainment options, additional safety features and more accessible off-road advantages, the Ranger is the true winner of this off-road battle.