Lovers of the Chevy Colorado are not exactly a rarity – it’s a popular truck and definitely one of the best mid-size options out there. A lot of Colorado-owners are proud of their trucks and like to brag about their features, and I don’t blame them, there’s plenty to brag about here. Especially if you look at something like the 2019 Chevy Colorado vs 2019 Ford Ranger: two great mid-size trucks that dominate much of the market.
But even compared to something like the Ford Ranger, the Colorado comes out on top time and again, giving Chevy lovers plenty of bragging rights. From the lower starting price point to more engine options that include choices with either more horsepower or more torque than the engine in the Ford Ranger, the power and strength of the 2019 Chevy Colorado cannot be denied. This means the Colorado can also end up with more towing capacity than the Ford Ranger and includes an impressive suite of safety features and interior options.
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Lower Price Tag
Right off the bat, the 2019 Chevy Colorado starts beating up the 2019 Ford Ranger simply because it is available at a lower starting price point. The Colorado starts off at an MSRP of $21,300, which is quite reasonable for a brand new mid-size truck. On the other hand, the 2019 Ford Ranger starts off at $24,300 and only goes up in price from there. As you can see, just starting off, the Ranger is priced a full $3,000 more than the 2019 Chevy Colorado.
More Engine Options
The 2019 Ford Ranger has just one engine available. That’s right, one. In fairness, Ford was wise enough to put a very solid engine in the Ranger as its only option. It is a 2.3L EcoBoost engine that’s quite good, but it’s the only choice – if you want something else in a Ranger, then you’re out of luck.
On the other hand, there are three different engines to choose from with the 2019 Chevy Colorado. That includes both a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and a 3.6L V6, both of which are standard gas engines. Then there is also a 2.8L Duramax Turbo-Diesel option available for folks who want a lot more torque in their mid-size pickup. There’s no diesel option for the Ford Ranger, so you can see the additional options with the 2019 Chevy Colorado really do make a difference.
More Horsepower
Having more engines to choose from is all well and good on paper – and sure it’s something to brag about. Options are great, but only if they really matter. Fortunately, those three engines in the 2019 Chevy Colorado offer more potential horsepower than you can get with the Ford Ranger.
The 2.3L engine in the 2019 Ranger provides up to 270hp, which is certainly solid for a mid-size pickup. By comparison, the starting engine in the 2019 Chevy Colorado offers only up to 200hp. But here’s the perk of multiple engines: the 3.6L V6 that’s available in the Colorado provides up to 308hp – beating out the Ford Ranger by a significant margin.
More Torque
“What about torque?” you may ask. Good question; once again the multiple options available with the 2019 Chevy Colorado win out over what you get with the Ford Ranger. Ford is proud to advertise that their engine has the “best-in-class gas torque” available in a mid-size pickup truck, and that’s true. But that ignores the fact that there are also diesel engines available with other trucks.
The 2.3L engine in the 2019 Ford Ranger offers up to 310 lb.-ft. of torque; for a gas engine that is definitely impressive. By comparison, the 3.6L V6 engine in the 2019 Chevy Colorado provides up to 275 lb.-ft. of torque, which is a bit less than the engine in the Ranger. However, the available 2.8L Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine in the 2019 Chevy Colorado can provide up to 369 lb.-ft. of torque, which definitely blows away the Ranger’s engine. Plus you get all the other benefits of a diesel engine, which is not an option with the Ranger.
Greater Towing Capacity
More torque and power means the 2019 Chevy Colorado also has greater towing capacity than the 2019 Ford Ranger. The Ranger has a maximum towing limit of 7,500 lbs. while the 2019 Colorado can pull up to 7,700 lbs. behind it. So, in fairness, that’s not exactly a huge difference compared to some other trucks out there.
But this isn’t about being fair, it’s about bragging rights. With that in mind, every little bit matters, so Chevy Colorado owners: feel free to brag about how the Colorado can pull more behind it than the Ford Ranger can. It might only be 200 lbs. of difference, but just think of what that could mean. That’s a couple of coolers full of food and drinks, or a larger grill to enjoy a weekend away from it all.
Better Interior Options
Both the 2019 Chevy Colorado and the Ford Ranger are new pickup trucks from two of the biggest manufacturers around, so they both have a lot of great interior features. That’s just part of buying a new truck these days. But there are a few things you can get in the Colorado that you just won’t find in the Ford Ranger, and they are all worth bragging about.
For example, there’s an available wireless charging pad in the Chevy Colorado, which you won’t find in the Ranger. While the highest trim level of the Colorado and the Ford Ranger both have 8-inch screens on the center Infotainment area, the starting trims are notably different. The Colorado starts off with a 7-inch screen, while the Ranger only has a 4-inch screen. That’s a pretty big difference, especially when you consider that the Ranger starts at a higher price.
Similarly, the base trim level of the Colorado has a 4-inch driver information screen, single-zone climate control, and a 4-way power adjustable driver seat. By comparison, the more expensive starting trim level of the Ford Ranger has a 2-inch driver information screen, basic air conditioning, and a 4-way manual adjustable driver seat. Overall, the 2019 Chevy Colorado gives you more to start with and has some high-end features that you won’t find in the Ranger.
Great Safety Features
To be fair, both the 2019 Chevy Colorado and the Ford Ranger are very safe trucks and offer impressive options. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few things that make the Colorado stand out a bit more, because there are.
For example, the Colorado has StabiliTrak with electronic stability and traction control, numerous airbags, and an available HD rear vision camera.
The Colorado also has available rear park assist and a Teen Driver system. This lets you set a certain key fob as designated for a teen driver, which then enables and disables certain systems to encourage safe behavior, like limiting music volume. The 2019 Ford Ranger lacks any such teen driver system, which is definitely something to brag about if you are teaching a new driver to have safe habits.
Overall, it’s a good time to drive a Chevy Colorado. If you know anyone with a Ford Ranger, you now have a few new things to be proud of and brag about the next time your trucks come up in conversation.
