Starting at
Starting at
181-308 | Horsepower (hp) | 270 |
191-369 | Torque (lb-ft) | 310 |
7,700 | Towing (lbs) | 7,500 |
Compact and midsize pickups were all the rage a decade ago, but declining interest and a quest for supersized trucks turned buyers' attention toward their bigger full-size siblings. Today, midsize trucks are back in a big way. Consider the 2022 Chevy Colorado vs 2022 Ford Ranger, two trucks at the forefront of the category. They're primed to compete for your business, but which truck offers the best value and range of features?
Buying a midsize pickup doesn't mean you have to compromise capability or durability. In fact, it's the opposite. These smaller profile rigs are still mighty powerful, with plenty of torque for towing and hauling, along with trims and options designed to accommodate serious off-roading. From the Colorado ZR2 Bison to a Ranger equipped with the Tremor Off-Road Package, these trucks are primed to go anywhere.
What if your lifestyle is more about valet parking than mud-soaked trail riding? This newest crop of midsize trucks takes appearance seriously. The Colorado is long on style, with angular lines, a rainbow of eye-catching exterior paint color options, and plenty of in-cabin appointments. Less dramatic is the Ranger, which favors a more stoic, boxy curb profile and utilitarian interior features. Parked side by side, there's no mistaking which truck is easier on the eyes.
When comparing the 2022 Chevy Colorado with the 2022 Ford Ranger, the first thing you'll notice is the lack of powertrain options on one and a surprising variety on the other. Colorado buyers can choose from three different engine options, including a powerful Duramax diesel. Buying a Ranger? All trims receive the same four-cylinder engine. In fairness, it's pretty powerful. Still, the Colorado can best it in both horsepower and torque ratings, leaving us to wonder why performance or capability-focused buyers would even consider a Ford Ranger.
The Colorado's standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is designed for fuel economy. It offers 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque, enough to tow up to 3,500 pounds. This engine is a great choice for budget-focused buyers and commuters, as well as city dwellers who probably won't use their truck for off-roading or heavy-duty towing. With an estimated 19 MPG city and 25 MPG highway, Chevy's efficient four-cylinder will keep fuel costs low.
Move up to the available 3.6-liter V6, and you'll see a big jump in horsepower. Ratings reach 308-hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, ratcheting towing capability up substantially to 7,000 pounds. All that extra power barely affects fuel efficiency, as this engine delivers 18 MPG city and 25 MPG highway. The off-road-ready Colorado Z71 comes standard with the more powerful V6 engine.
Last and most exciting is the Colorado's available Duramax 2.8-liter Turbo-Diesel engine. Trucks equipped with this motor can expect a towing capability of up to 7,700 pounds, along with 369 lb-ft of torque. Two-wheel drive diesel-equipped Colorado models achieve impressive fuel economy at 20 MPG city and 30 MPG highway. Not many midsize truck manufacturers offer a diesel motor, something buyers should keep in mind.
For the 2022 model year, the Ranger offers a single 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that delivers 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Certain trims and configurations can offer up to 7,500 pounds of towing capability, which falls short of a diesel-equipped Colorado. Fuel economy ratings sit at 21 MPG city and 26 MPG highway for two-wheel drive models.
One glance at the 2022 Chevy Colorado's specification sheet, and it's clear this truck is ideal for off-roaders who don't want the bulk of a full-size pickup. Is it better than a similarly equipped 2022 Ford Ranger? We think so on all counts. First off, the Colorado builds on a superior foundation. Add to that the ZR2 Bison special edition's features, and it morphs into a true beast.
Listed as #1 in Midsize Trucks by MotorTrend, the Colorado starts off with a higher ranking than the Ranger. Opting for the ZR2 trim gives you the choice of a standard V6 engine or the optional Duramax Turbo-Diesel. The Ranger only has one engine: the base four-cylinder EcoBoost. That's a big difference, and one that drivers will feel out on the trail.
The Colorado ZR2 Bison comes standard with front and rear driver-selectable full-locking differentials. Also standard are DSSV Multimatic shocks, off-road body refinements to the front fascia and the rear bumper, and special fender flares. The ZR2 is over two inches wider than other Colorado trims. You can even pick from two appearance packages––the ZR2 Dusk Special Edition and the ZR2 Midnight Special Edition.
Add the ZR2 Bison package, and you'll get a handful of special American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) exterior add-ons. These include an AEV front bumper fitted with winch provisions and a rear bumper with recovery hooks, AEV skid plates protecting the underbody, AEV fender flares, fog lamps, and unique 17-inch AEV branded wheels.
Adding the Tremor Package to the Ranger XLT or Lariat trims adds painted alloy wheels, FOX shocks, and a slightly modified suspension that's tuned for off-roading. Tow hooks are included in the front and rear, along with Ford Trail Control and Ford's Terrain Management System. The former helps manage braking and acceleration at low speeds so drivers can focus on steering, while the latter has a set of selectable drive modes that include Normal, Mud/Ruts, and Sand.
What the Ranger doesn't have is glaring. Specifically, the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine offers far less torque than the Colorado's diesel. Also, you can't get an electronic locking front differential. While the selectable drive modes are clever, most hard-core off-roaders like to control their rig the old-fashioned way, and they'll gladly trade a few shortcut conveniences for the extra power and capability found on the Colorado.
Of the 2022 Chevy Colorado's in-vehicle tech, Car and Driver reported that "the Colorado remains near the top of the segment in terms of infotainment features." Even the base WT trim receives a 7-inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Meanwhile, the LT and Z71 trims can be had with an 8-inch high-definition screen with connected navigation.
Overall, Chevy outfits the base Colorado WT with far more standard comfort and convenience features than you'll find on the Ranger XL. The 2022 Colorado's driver data cluster measures out at 3.5 inches, while the Ranger's falls short, measuring just 2.3 inches. Higher Colorado trims receive a larger 4.2-inch display. As for audio systems, the base Ranger XL features a 4-speaker audio system. The base Colorado WT's included audio system has six speakers for richer sound quality.
You might be surprised to learn that the Ford Ranger XL features a manually adjustable driver's seat, which seems unnecessarily spartan. Meanwhile, the Colorado WT has a power driver's seat standard. Ford even leaves out the passenger visor mirror. The Colorado WT has two front USB ports. The Ranger XL? Just one. These differences may seem minor, but they add up to big gaps in the standard features.
How about top-of-the-line trims? A side-by-side comparison reveals that the most expensive Colorado Z71 and ZR2 trims and Ranger Lariat are more similarly equipped. However, the off-road focused Colorado ZR2 trim doesn't have an exact competitor in the Ranger lineup. For the closest comparison, buyers can build out the Ranger Lariat with the available Tremor Off-Road Package. It adds an over $4,000 surcharge, but you'll still have to pay extra for features like Remote Start, which is standard on the Colorado Z71 and ZR2. Also, the Colorado's high-end trims include an EZ Lift and Lower tailgate; the Ranger Lariat doesn't.