The 2024 Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado are midsize pickup trucks fresh from complete redesigns. Each has improved tech and safety features, along with added capability for off-road adventuring and towing.
The Ranger and Colorado are available solely in a 5-seat crew cab configuration with a 5-foot cargo bed. The Colorado, Chevrolet’s smallest pickup, is priced and sized below the brand’s full-size Silverado. Meanwhile, the Ranger is the middle child of Ford’s truck lineup. It resides between the larger, pricier full-size F-150 and the smaller, less expensive unibody Maverick.
The base Ranger and Colorado are powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired with an automatic transmission and a choice of rear- or 4-wheel drive (4WD). While the 2024 Ford Ranger is available with two optional turbocharged V6s, the Colorado sticks with a 4-cylinder that can be tuned for more power and torque.
So, how do these two versatile American pickups fare when pitted against each other? Let’s see how the Ranger and Colorado compare:
2024 Ford Ranger
The 2024 Ford Ranger is available in four main trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, and Raptor. Starting at $32,565, the 2024 Ford Ranger XL comes standard with a 270-hp turbo 4-cylinder and niceties like smartphone connectivity, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, automatic emergency braking, and storage bins beneath the bottom cushions of the second row. A second, more powerful engine option is available: a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 putting out 315 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.
Ford Ranger Highlights
Infotainment updates: Having a basic work truck doesn’t mean going without excellent standard features. The base Ford Ranger gets a user-friendly touchscreen, USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a digital instrument cluster. Tempting options include wireless device charging, a larger 12.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a Bang & Olufsen stereo.
Off-road-themed Raptor: Due to arrive in 2024 is the rugged Ranger Raptor, a 4WD off-road pickup equipped with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that produces 405 hp. Among many other features, the Ranger Raptor comes with a toughened-up suspension, all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates. It’s aimed directly at the ZR2, Chevrolet’s go-anywhere version of the Colorado.
Trailering and cargo hauling: The 2024 Ranger can tow 7,500 pounds when properly equipped. The payload capacity is 1,805 pounds with RWD or about 1,700 pounds with 4WD. The damped tailgate, a standard feature, doesn’t clank down when opened. It also has a handy built-in ruler and bottle opener.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price on KBB.com. Or see the 2024 Ford Ranger for sale near you.
2024 Chevrolet Colorado
The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado is offered in six trims: WT, LT, Trail Boss, Z71, ZR2, and ZR2 Bison. Starting at $29,200, the Colorado WT includes a digital instrument cluster, an 11.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, two USB ports, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Chevrolet Colorado Highlights
Standard safety items: For too long, base pickup trucks suffered from a dearth of driver aids. That has changed. The 2024 Chevy Colorado comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and rear seat reminder.
ZR2 and ZR2 Bison: Many pickup owners venture where rocks, mud, and sand are the primary driving surfaces. This is no problem whatsoever for the Colorado ZR2 and ZR2 Bison. These trucks have standard 4WD and go-anywhere upgrades like front and rear locking differentials, steel underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a heavy-duty winch (ZR2 Bison).
Lots of tech: The Colorado also boasts a substantial lineup of onboard tech features. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are notable on their own, but we’re more impressed with the precise menus and quick response times of the Colorado’s infotainment system. It’s one of our favorites among midsize pickups.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price on KBB.com. Or see the 2024 Chevy Colorado for sale near you.
Similarities
The Ranger and Colorado are sized and priced similarly, and they have identical warranty protection. They also have similar EPA fuel economy. What’s more, each has a trim engineered specifically for off-road driving, and the standard powerplant in the two trucks is a turbocharged 4-cylinder with RWD or 4WD.
Conclusion
The midsize pickup market has heated up significantly in the last couple of years. Every make and model has been redesigned. This, of course, includes the Ranger and Colorado, plus the Colorado’s mechanical twin, the GMC Canyon. You can add the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier to that list.
The Chevy Colorado has a lower starting price than the Ranger, plus more standard safety features and one of the best infotainment systems available in a pickup. We’re also impressed by the Colorado’s superior blend of ride and handling.
Battling back, the Ford Ranger counters with a more powerful base powertrain, along with the availability of a turbo V6 in higher trims. The Ford also has a higher maximum payload rating (1,805 pounds versus 1,684 for the Colorado), a more intuitive infotainment system, and handy touches like storage bins under the rear-seat cushions.
If a full-size truck is more than needed for your daily driving needs (and for many of us, it is), we’re confident that you can’t go wrong with either of these classic rivals.
Specifications
| 2024 Ford Ranger | 2024 Chevrolet Colorado | |
| Starting Price | $32,565 | $29,500 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbo 2.3-liter 4-cylinder | Turbo 2.7-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 270 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 237 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @3,000 rpm | 260 lb-ft @3,200 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy | 21 mpg city/25 mpg highway/22 mpg combined | 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 2.7-liter V6, Turbo 3.0-liter V6, 4WD | Turbo Plus 2.7-liter V6, Turbo High-Output V6, 4WD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | TBD | TBD |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 128.7 inches | 131.4 inches |
| Overall Length | 210.6 inches | 213.2 inches |
| Width | 75.5 inches | 74.9 inches |
| Height | 73.9 inches | 78.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 42.5 feet | TBD |
| Headroom, Front | 41 inches | 40.3 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.8 inches | 38.2 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 43.7 inches | 45.1 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 34.6 inches | 34.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.1 inches | 57.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 56.7 inches | 56.1 inches |
| Bed Length | 59.6 inches | 61.7 inches |
