How Does the Ford Ranger Compete With Its Chevy Colorado Rival?

June 21st, 2024 by

A grey 2024 Ford Ranger XLT parked on gravel.

No other rivalry is more celebrated and well-known than Ford vs Chevy. For over a century, both brands have attempted to outperform and outmuscle one another by offering drivers the best transportation and performance. A common ground that both brands share is their capacity for producing pickup trucks, which many drivers swear by. Here at Loganville Ford, we see the outcome of this rivalry each year as Chevy continues to strive for perfection, which, in turn, makes Ford even more determined to step up in the game to retain its position as the king of the pickup truck.

The Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado are two models in particular who are always neck and neck with one another, and today, we plan on offering an objective examination of both for the benefit of our customers. If you reside in Statham and are looking for a pickup that pushes the boundaries of excellence farther than they’ve ever gone, you’ll want to continue reading. Loganville Ford is the Ford dealer near Statham that area residents have come to rely on, and the information we present today will help you decide what truck is better suited for your needs.

Prowess and Performance

Drivers in Statham have high expectations for what their vehicles can accomplish. Because of the wide open spaces and low population density, Statham residents have found that having a car with excellent performance is always advantageous, whether exploring Fort Yargo State Park, hitting the road for adventure, or making an honest living on the job site. Any truck owner puts their faith in a capable powertrain, which is where our examination will begin.

A common area that the Ranger and Colorado have with one another is that they have two powertrains, both of which offer a turbocharged four-cylinder as the base offering. The Colorado consists of a 2.7L four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While this is the sole engine across all trims, power ratings increase the higher you go. Base trims have the benefit of 237 hp, while getting a grip on 310 hp requires purchasing the off-road-ready trims such as the Trail Boss and ZR2.

Always one to avoid being outdone by the competition, Ford brings the fourth two powertrains, both of which manage to eclipse Colorado’s offerings by a decent margin. The base engine on the Ford Ranger consists of a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder, which pushes out 270 hp with minimal effort. For those who crave more regarding performance, Ford has recently introduced a new twin-turbocharged 2.7L V6 that offers 315 hp, more potent than the Colorado’s upper-trim offering. Ford’s engines pair with a competent ten-speed automatic transmission, the same one found in the F-150.

A close up of the front of a blue 2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2.

Another aspect of both powertrains worth considering is fuel economy. Because of Statham’s wide open spaces, a considerable distance must be traveled to participate in extracurricular activities. Every mile counts, and the Ford Ranger outperforms the Chevy Colorado in performance and fuel economy. The Chevy Colorado offers an admirable fuel economy, with 20 MPG in the city limits and 24 MPG on the highway, a combined total of 22 MPG.

However, the Ranger proves to be more adept at conservative fuel consumption, with 21 MPG in the city and 25 on the highway for a combined total of 22 MPG. While this difference might seem minuscule, the EPA has noted that you’ll pay a considerable margin each year. You can expect to pay up to $100 more a year in fuel costs with the Colorado and almost $500 more throughout five years. With the capacity to outperform and save on fuel costs, the Ford Ranger once again proves its worthiness as a top contender in the pickup truck war.

Interior and Tech

The modern truck owner needs much more than just a capable powertrain. As technology advances at an alarming rate each year, drivers need the best tech-savvy features. The Colorado and Ranger strive to provide the best options for their customers. We’ve looked under the hood; now it’s time to get behind the wheel and see what the interior has in store. After all, this is where you’ll spend most of your time.

As expected, the Ranger and Colorado have interiors anchored by an infotainment screen that provides access to various features that enhance the driving experience and make any trip remarkably enjoyable. However, the differences in screens and setups make for a very different experience when you’re behind the wheel. The Colorado’s 11.3-inch infotainment screen is in the dashboard’s center, providing wireless compatibility with Apple and Android products. A subscription service can be upgraded, allowing for Google music and navigation integration.

Always one to stand out from expectation and convention, the available 12-inch infotainment screen that Ford equips the Ranger with is vertical, user-friendly, and positioned so that accessibility is far more agreeable. Aside from the aesthetic advantage that the Ranger provides, there’s Ford’s latest version of Sync 4A. This comprehensive software suite offers many features to enhance life on the road, such as navigation and hands-free calls. It receives over-the-air updates to ensure you always use the latest version.

A grey 2024 Ford Ranger is parked near a biking trail.

The Ranger and Colorado come standard with driving assistance features such as automated emergency braking and forward collision alerts, which enhance the reaction time and issue warnings in the event of a potential collision. While the Ranger offers standard tools like its Blind Spot Information System, a similar feature will cost you on the Colorado.

One point of contention that can’t be ignored is the safety ratings of both vehicles. While the Ford Ranger received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in collision testing, the Colorado only received four. This might seem like a marginal difference, much like the fuel economy of both vehicles, but safety is the most important aspect of anything you decide to drive. The higher rating bestowed on Ford is one more reason drivers prefer the brand to Chevy. Not only does the Ford Ranger have a more aesthetically appealing interior and more tech-savvy infotainment setup, but its higher safety rating is a reassurance to any driver, regardless of what applications they plan on utilizing the Ranger for.

Check Out the Ford Ranger Today

The rivalry between Chevy and Ford has produced some of the most iconic vehicles ever. In the case of the Colorado and Ranger, it’s once again apparent that Ford can outperform its competitors in every discernible way possible. While the Colorado offers exceptional performance and tech-savviness, the Ranger’s ability to outmuscle it in terms of prowess, safety, and fuel economy makes it the ideal truck for Statham residents

If you’re in the market for a pickup truck with capable performance and exceptional quality, the Ford Ranger continues to be the best option. Here at Loganville Ford, we carry the Ranger and a host of other models from across the full spectrum of the Ford fleet. Our team will review the various trims and accessories to ensure you make the best decision. We also offer financing for those who need it and a parts and service department to ensure your Ranger stays on the road for many years. Come in today, and we’ll show you how the Ford Ranger can enhance your daily drive.