2024 Ford Ranger vs 2024 Chevy Colorado - What's The Difference?

Let's face it, when you need a truck, you like need a truck, am I right? Two popular choices are the 2024 Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado. So let's dig into the details and figure out which one is the best for you. That's right, it's bow tie versus blue oval in a pickup truck battle for the ages. Okay, that might be a little much, but you get the idea. Both midsize pickup trucks are pretty fresh off the designer drawing board with new sheet metal engines and tech features. Both can be had in rear or four-wheel drive with a five-foot bed, but that is where the similarities end. Starting at $34,265, including destination, the base 2024 Ford Ranger comes standard with a peppy 270 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and returns an EPA estimated 22 miles to the gallon combined. But for those who crave power, the Ranger can now be optioned with a 2.7 liter EcoBoost V6, putting out 315 horsepower and 400 pound feet of torque. Yes, please. The 2024 Ranger can tow 7,500 pounds when properly equipped, a bit less than the Colorado. However, the max payload capacity of 1,805 pounds beats the Colorado by almost 100 pounds. The damped tailgate, a standard feature, doesn't clank down when it's opened. It also has a handy built-in ruler and bottle opener, but wait till we show you the tailgate on the Colorado. That's really worth sticking around for. Inside, even the base Ford Ranger gets a user-friendly touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a digital instrument cluster, and USB charging. If you care to spend a little bit more money, you can get wireless device charging, a larger 12.4-inch touchscreen with navigation, and a bangin' bangin' Olufsen stereo. See what I did there? As for the Colorado, it's a tough package to beat. Starting at $31,095, including destination, Chevy is available with three power outputs of a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. With horsepower ranging from 237 to 310 and torque output anywhere from 259 to 430, you certainly do have options here. However, the best fuel economy you can eke out, according to the EPA at least, is 21 miles to the gallon combined. Oh, our KBB kingdom for a hybrid option. We love that every trim of the Colorado comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and rear seat reminder. Ford's suite of driver's aids is absent on the base model, a key point to keep in mind. The Colorado also has a much-improved infotainment system with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, precise menus, and quick response times. It's a favorite among us here at KBB. Oh, and didn't I promise a tailgate story? Y'all can get this cool lockable storage compartment built into the tailgate that even includes a drain so it can be used as a cooler. So cool. If getting off-road is your jam, both manufacturers offer their own take on a go-fast truck with beefy tires, skid plates galore, and standard four-wheel drive. The Ranger Raptor goes big with a twin-turbo 3-liter V6 that produces 405 horsepower and gets some tricked-out Fox shocks. The Colorado's ZR2 and ZR2 Bison can't quite hang in the power department, eking out only 310 ponies, but the dampers from Multimatic are really, really good. Plus, you'll get front and rear locking differentials on the ZR2, while the Ranger Raptor only comes with a rear locker. So, where have we ended up here? The Ford Ranger offers more power and better fuel economy on its standard engine, but the Colorado is over $3,000 less expensive. If you're watching your wallet, that is a significant amount. Heck, even if you're not watching your wallet, that's a lot of coin. The Colorado takes the crown when it comes to towing, while the Ranger has more payload, but neither blows the other out of the water here. Further, both have the same three-year, 36,000-mile basic, five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. In the end, it might come down to tech features. We like that the Colorado has wireless smartphone compatibility and many safety features that come standard. You have to move to a higher branch on the tree trim to get the same driver's aids in the Ford, and the only wireless feature you'll get is wireless charging. And don't even get me started on the Colorado's awesome tailgate.