If you’re looking at that title and thinking, “Hey, that’s a good question,” then you’re in luck, because that’s what we’re going to take a look at and try to answer. Both the Ford Ranger and the Chevy Colorado are mid-size pickup trucks, so it’s a pretty fair comparison to pit them against each other. We’ll look at the 2019 Ford Ranger vs 2019 Chevy Colorado overall and consider different aspects of both vehicles to try to get a clear picture.
We’ll look at their engines and the kind of performance they each deliver in terms of payload capacity and maximum towing. Then we’ll move inside these two pickups and look at their interior options and features. We’ll also consider their safety features to get a sense of how these two trucks can protect you and your loved ones – not to mention everyone else on the road. In the end, one of these trucks might prove itself superior, though I suspect they both do what they do well and will simply appeal to different truck-buyers out there.
Major Differences in Engines
The first big difference between these two pickups is with regard to their engines. The 2019 Ford Ranger has one engine available, while the 2019 Chevy Colorado has three different engines to choose from. Whether this is in Ford or Chevy’s favor will depend on your own preferences – while I like having options, there’s something to be said for just having one thing available if it’s really good.
Speaking of which, let’s see how these engines stack up. The 2019 Ford Ranger’s engine is a 2.3L Turbo-Charged beast that offers up to 270 hp and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. With this engine, you get up to 21 mpg/26 mpg in the city and on the highway, for a combined estimate of 23 mpg. In other words, there might only be one engine, but it’s fantastic.
By comparison, the three engines available with the 2019 Chevy Colorado really run a wide range in terms of performance. The standard engine is a 2.5L 4-cylinder that offers up to 200 hp and 191 lb.-ft. of torque, with an available 3.6L V6 that provides up to 308 hp and 275 lb.-ft. of torque. As you can see, the Ranger’s engine is far superior to the Colorado’s starting offer but is a trade-off when compared to the second option – less horsepower but more torque.
Finally, there is a Duramax 2.8L Turbo-Diesel available with the 2019 Chevy Colorado that offers up to 181 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. I’ll admit it’s nice to see a diesel option, but if you’re not interested in that, then it’s a wasted offering. While the Colorado’s diesel engine has great highway fuel economy, the 3.6L V6 only has an estimated 18 mpg/25 mpg for city and highway.
Payload and Towing Capacity
With such different engines, you might expect very different degrees of performance from these two trucks – and while you are correct in some ways, they end up pretty comparable. The 2019 Ford Ranger has a maximum towing capacity of up to 7,500 lbs when properly configured and a maximum payload of up to 1,860 lbs with the right setup. Even without the trailer tow package, the Ranger offers up to 3,500 lbs of towing standard.
By comparison, the 2019 Chevy Colorado has a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 lbs – you’ll notice that’s a couple hundred more than the Ranger. That only comes with the diesel engine, however – the 3.6L V6 engine has a maximum towing of 7,000 lbs while the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine tops out at 3,500 lbs. In other words, the towing capacity is very comparable between these two trucks.
Maximum payload for the 2019 Chevy Colorado is 1,574 lbs in any configuration with the 3.6L V6 engine. While that is close to the maximum payload of the Ford Ranger, it actually falls about 300 lbs short. Of course, if you choose a different engine and trim, then those values will change.
Cab and Box Designs
Before we move inside these trucks, let’s take a moment and look at their available configurations. The 2019 Ford Ranger has two options: a supercab with a 6-foot box, or a supercrew with a 5-foot box. By comparison, the 2019 Chevy Colorado has three options: an extended cab with a 6-foot bed, a crew cab with a 5-foot bed, and a crew cab with a 6-foot bed. Ultimately, these are pretty comparable with the one exception being that you can get a Colorado with a crew cab and a longer bed than Ford offers.
Interior Features and Options
To keep things simple, as we look inside these two mid-size pickups, we’ll focus on their highest trim levels. That’s the 2019 Ford Ranger Lariat and the 2019 Chevy Colorado Z71.
The Ranger Lariat has an 8-inch Infotainment display with support for Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It has numerous USB ports, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and dual-zone electronic temperature control. The 2019 Ford Ranger Lariat also has a pair of 4-inch driver information displays in the cluster, 8-way power adjustable driver and front passenger seats, and leather details on the seats, steering wheel, and shift knob.
By comparison, the 2019 Chevy Colorado Z71 has an 8-inch Infotainment display with support for Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It has numerous USB ports, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and automatic climate control. The Colorado Z71 has a single 4-inch driver information display, a 6-way power-adjustable driver seat, a 4-way power front passenger seat, and leather details throughout. The Z71 has a wireless charging area, which the Ranger Lariat lacks, but the Lariat has two driver displays instead of one and more adjustable seating.
Safety Features
In terms of safety features, these are both excellent trucks, though many of them are additional options rather than standard on the Chevy Colorado. Once again, let’s look at the top trims to keep things simple.
The 2019 Ford Ranger Lariat has pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking. It also has a rearview camera with dynamic hitch assist for easier towing hookup and auto high-beam headlamps. The Ranger Lariat has a blind spot information system, which includes trailer coverage when towing, and cross-traffic alert. There is also a lane-keeping system that includes lane-keeping alert, lane-keeping assist, and driver alert.
The 2019 Chevy Colorado Z71 features electronic traction control and StabiliTrak, along with daytime running lamps. It has an HD rearview camera and rear park assist, plus a teen driver system that is ideal if you have young drivers that you want to teach safe habits. Additional safety features include available forward collision alert, available lane departure warning, and available rear park assist. These are all great, but they really should be standard as they are on the highest trim of the 2019 Ford Ranger.
The Last Word
All in all, these are two very comparable mid-size pickup trucks. The simplicity of the single available engine on the 2019 Ford Ranger is commendable, especially with such a powerful engine. The 2019 Chevy Colorado gives you more engine options and exceptional torque from its Turbo-Diesel offering, but they are ultimately quite comparable in terms of overall power and performance.
Inside, both of these trucks have great tech options and features, but a few things in the highest trim of the Ranger are a bit nicer than the Colorado. There are excellent safety features on both trucks, but more of them are standard at the highest trim level of the 2019 Ford Ranger, while they remain options with the Chevy truck. If you’re unsure of which to choose, the Ranger is probably a better choice, but if you’re a die-hard loyalist to Ford or Chevy, you’ll be served fine either way.
