2023 Chevy Colorado vs 2023 Ford Ranger

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  • 2023 Chevy Colorado

    A silver 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71 is angled left.

    Starting at

    $29,200[a]

    2023 Ford Ranger

    A black 2023 Ford Ranger XLT is angled right.

    Starting at

    $27,400

    237-310Horsepower (hp)270
    7,700Towing (lbs)7,500
    11.3Screen Size (in)8

    Comparing two different trucks is one of the best ways to decide which vehicle is right for you. By looking at what each has to offer, it becomes a lot easier to narrow down your options. Sometimes this is a difficult task, particularly when the features and performance of the two pickups are quite similar, and their differences are minimal. At other times, however, the moment you start to compare two vehicles, it becomes abundantly clear that one is simply superior in essentially every conceivable way. This does not often happen with trucks since manufacturers put so much work into them, but when we look at the 2023 Chevy Colorado vs 2023 Ford Ranger, this is precisely what we find.

    While the Ford F-150 is undeniably an impressive piece of machinery, it seems like Ford has ignored the midsize Ranger. When we compare it to the Chevy Colorado, it almost feels unfair. For example, the Ford Ranger has a single engine available: a 2.3L I-4 that puts out 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This seems fine until we look at the Colorado and the three engine options that it brings to the road. The available 2.7L Turbo Plus I-4 engine for the Colorado delivers 310 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, far superior to the Ranger—looking at the High-Output version of this engine, you get 430 lb-ft of torque for incredible performance.

    This improved power is not simply for show because the Chevy Colorado can also tow more weight behind it than the Ford Ranger. Looking at trim levels and options, things become even worse for the Ford model since it has just a few trims with some uninspired features on them, compared to five different Colorado trims, including an incredible off-road-focused ZR2. Daily driving with the 2023 Chevy Colorado is also far better due to the kinds of features you find in it, such as a standard 11.3-inch infotainment display. By comparison, the 2023 Ranger comes with a meager 3.5-inch screen standard, and the best it can do is an available eight-inch display that still falls well short of what every Colorado comes with.

  • Performance

    A blue 2023 Chevy Colorado ZR2 is shown from the side while off-road.

    Engine Options

    One of the most important things to look at, with any kind of truck, is the engine or engines that it offers and the kind of performance they provide. It can be easy to assume that a midsize truck does not need to have too much in the way of power since it is smaller and lighter than full-size models like the Chevy Silverado. In reality, however, you should expect impressive power in a midsize pickup in order to have a great driving experience.

    When it comes to its engine, the 2023 Ford Ranger falls sadly short both in terms of total output and how many options you have. The Ranger is powered by a 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 engine that offers 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is good but not amazing. To be fair to Ford, the brand did pretty well ensuring that the one option for the Ranger has decent power. It simply feels like there should have been more options available, but there are none to be found.

    The 2023 Chevy Colorado, on the other hand, has essentially three different engines available. Starting off, you get a 2.7L Turbo I-4 engine that delivers 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, which falls short of the Ranger, but not by much. From there, you can choose a 2.7L Turbo Plus engine that boosts performance up to 310 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, far surpassing what the Ranger can offer. To really elevate power, however, you can choose a 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine that puts out a massive 430 lb-ft of torque, eclipsing the Ranger’s performance. This gives you superior power and greater towing capacity than Ford’s truck can manage, making the Colorado more enjoyable to drive and more capable.

  • Off-Roading

    A red 2023 Chevy Colorado Trail Boss is shown from the front at an angle during a 2023 Chevy Colorado vs 2023 Ford Ranger comparison.

    Taking It to the Trail

    One of the most popular ways to enjoy what a midsize truck has to offer is to take it off-road. The smaller size of these pickups makes them ideal for going off-road since they can more easily navigate tight spaces and rough terrain where a larger truck might struggle. In recent years, the popularity of midsize trucks out on the trail has boomed, and manufacturers understand that. This is something that Chevy clearly gets with the design of the 2023 Colorado, but Ford has missed the mark with the 2023 Ranger.

    The Ford Ranger has three trim levels available, with different features and options across them, but there is no trim designed specifically for the trail. While two-wheel drive (4x2) is standard, four-wheel drive (4x4) is available for the Ranger, which is good, and there are some decent options like a Terrain Management System and Ford Trail Control available on some models. The Ranger has a fully-boxed frame, which is good, and a pretty decent suspension, with available all-terrain tires. Choosing the optional Tremor package can help make the Ranger a better off-road option, thanks to an improved suspension, but it lacks a cohesive design.

    Looking at the 2023 Chevy Colorado, we can immediately see the ZR2 trim is a dedicated off-road model ready to elevate your next adventure. The Colorado ZR2 comes with a 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine with 430 lb-ft of torque, giving you incredible power for challenging trails, along with Multimatic DSSV dampers to help even out the bumpiest terrain, and 4x4 is standard. You get a three-inch factory-installed lift and an off-road front fascia with the Colorado ZR2 for improved ground clearance and a superior approach angle. With 33-inch mud-terrain tires, driver-selectable locking front and rear differentials, and much more, the Colorado ZR2 is the perfect off-road machine.

  • Interior

    The black interior of a 2023 Chevy Colorado Trail Boss is shown from the driver's seat.

    Enjoy Your Time in Your Truck

    You will spend most of your time with your truck inside it, which means you deserve to have a pickup with an impressive interior. Long gone are the days when choosing a truck meant sacrificing any hope of comfort and advanced technology; modern pickups can include fantastic features and options to ensure you have a great time behind the wheel. While the Ford Ranger has some decent features and options, it also feels woefully outdated in crucial ways, whereas the 2023 Chevy Colorado has amazing features throughout. These kinds of things can seem like minor details while you are shopping for a vehicle, but they have a huge impact on your daily experience while driving.

    The starting trim for the 2023 Ranger, the XL, comes with manual single-zone air conditioning, manually-adjustable cloth seating, and a four-speaker sound system. The XL has a 2.3-inch productivity screen in the instrument cluster for the driver, and a 3.5-inch infotainment display—this screen is shockingly small and underwhelming for a 2023 model. Things do get better if you look at higher trims and available options, but the Ranger still ends up falling short. The Lariat trim, the highest option, comes with dual-zone automatic temperature control, a 4.2-inch productivity screen, and a better sound system. However, an eight-inch infotainment display is still the best it can do.

    By comparison, the base WT trim of the 2023 Chevy Colorado comes with a gorgeous 11.3-inch infotainment display with Google built-in. You do not have to worry about missing out because every Colorado comes with this stunning display. Standard features also include a six-speaker sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, and an eight-inch Driver Information Center. Available options and features on higher trims include power-adjustable seating, heated front seats, an 11-inch Driver Information Center, and much more. Overall, the Chevy Colorado brings more to the road with advanced technology throughout, making your everyday drive far more enjoyable.

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