When it comes to pickup trucks, Ford and Chevrolet are often at the top of drivers’ lists. Both manufacturers have been producing cars that Americans love for over 100 years, so they know a thing or two about what consumers want out of the various models they offer. They’re constantly upgrading beloved old models, keeping the style and quality that drivers love but adding technology and other touches to keep up with the times. It’s no wonder that for many truck shoppers, it comes down to the 2022 Ford Ranger vs 2022 Chevy Colorado. They’re both formidable options that have a lot to offer when it comes to towing capacity, storage space, off-road capabilities, and more.
Purchasing a new vehicle is always a big decision. Your car lays the groundwork for your life and is meant to make day-to-day activities easier and run smoothly. This is even truer for truck drivers, who often rely on these utility vehicles for work and to get them safely through rougher roads. Ford and Chevy are both top players in the world of trucks. That’s why you see so many on the road––even older versions. They’re just that reliable and that loved. To make the choice easier, we made a side-by-side comparison of the 2022 Ford Ranger and the 2022 Chevy Colorado to see which one came out on top. While both offer impressive elements and capabilities, the 2022 Chevy Colorado lagged a bit on certain features that drivers have come to expect, including safety and technology.
Ford’s Advanced Safety Package
Both of these vehicles do offer driver assistance features that can minimize the chances of an accident or the severity of an accident, should one occur. However, the 2022 Chevy Colorado doesn’t offer quite as many features as the 2022 Ford Ranger. Ford’s reputation for continually improving its products with intuitive, driver-friendly features still holds up with this year’s offering of the Ranger.
Ford’s safety package for the 2022 Ranger has standard forward-collision warning that notifies a driver when they get too close to another vehicle. This includes standard automated emergency braking that will bring the vehicle to a stop if a collision is imminent. This can be a life-saving feature when vehicles are moving at high speeds. The 2022 Ford Ranger also offers blind-spot monitoring to help a driver be aware of other cars in this pesky area, and rear cross-traffic alert, which is very useful during times of backing out of driveways.
Drivers very much appreciate its adaptive cruise control. Adaptive cruise control not only helps ensure that drivers stay within the speed limit but also that they maintain a safe distance between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. It will automatically adjust a driver’s speed, so the driver doesn’t have to. This feature can prevent accidents and speeding tickets.
The 2022 Chevy Colorado does offer forward-collision warning to notify a driver when they are too close to other cars––but only as an option on the higher trims. It does not have automated emergency braking at all, so it will be on the driver to react quickly enough to prevent an accident. The 2022 Chevy does have rear parking assist, which is very useful when getting a long pickup truck into tight spots, and available lane departure warnings, which notify drivers when they accidentally veer out of their lane.
One more area the 2022 Chevy Colorado fell short in the safety department is adaptive cruise control. Unfortunately, this year’s rendition of the Chevy does not offer it. Adaptive cruise control has become a highly popular feature among drivers because of its immense ability to prevent accidents and speeding tickets. Drivers will need to go with the 2022 Ford Ranger if this feature is critical to them.
The EcoBoost Advantage
Pickup truck drivers expect to feel a certain level of power behind the wheel. It’s one of the more alluring features of a pickup and is important because this utility vehicle is often relied on to tow and transport large items and trailers. Naturally, we have to look at how these two vehicles hold up in this department. The 2022 Ford Ranger stood out right away because of its 7,500-pound towing capacity and because it continues to drive smoothly and provide excellent acceleration even when its towing capabilities are maxed out. It also boasts an impressive 1,860-pound payload capacity, so it’s an excellent work vehicle.
The 2022 Chevy Colorado offers a slightly higher 7,700-pound max tow rating––but only if you opt for the diesel engine. The more driver-friendly gasoline V6 option tops out with a 7,000-pound towing capacity. Drivers will also need to splurge for higher trims to see a towing capacity that compares to the Ranger’s. The Chevy’s max payload is also some 355 pounds lower than the Ford’s best-in-class 1,905 pounds.
Any time you hitch something to a truck or load up its bed to capacity, the issue of driver experience comes up. Will a driver notice the load holding the vehicle back, slowing it down, or making it difficult to maneuver? They shouldn’t in the 2022 Ford Ranger, which boasts 310 pound-foot of torque and 270 horsepower. Reaching the desired speed quickly and navigating difficult roads is still easy in this vehicle, even when it’s loaded up. The 2022 Chevy Colorado might struggle a bit more when it’s towing large items or its bed is carrying heavy cargo. Its standard engine only offers 191 pound-feet of torque, while even its V6 option tops out at 275 pound-feet of torque.
One more reason the 2022 Ford Ranger drives smoothly, no matter what it’s towing or carrying, is its 10-speed auto transmission. The higher the number of gears in a transmission, the easier the car drives and the better it can maintain optimal engine performance. The 2022 Chevy Colorado only has a 6-speed or 8-speed auto transmission, depending on the engine.
Off-Road Performance Package Comparison
If it can’t go off-roading, is it even a truck? Drivers want a pickup that can handle nearly any road they choose to travel, so features that enhance the off-roading experience are a must. You never know where your work or adventure might take you, and it’s important that your pickup comes out unscathed. Both the 2022 Chevy Colorado and the 2022 Ford Ranger offer comprehensive off-roading packages, delivering on the demands of their customer base. But ultimately, the 2022 Ford Ranger’s off-road package is a bit more impressive than Chevy’s.
Ford offers the Tremor off-road package in its 2022 Ranger. This package includes magnetic-painted alloy wheels that are durable and stylish, a skid plate to protect the undercarriage from damage when traversing rough terrain, and modified off-road suspension. Good off-road suspension works to reduce turbulence over bumpy roads, make sure the tires maintain contact with the road, and enhance vehicle stability. The 2022 Ford Ranger’s off-road package also includes front and rear tow hooks to give drivers options for vehicle recovery and off-road hoop-step style running boards for easy entry to the cab. The final touches include red nostril inserts in the grille and the option for added graphics that really make this vehicle stand out.
The 2022 Chevy Colorado also has an off-road package in the form of the Trail Boss package. It’s available on LT and Z71 trims. It offers lifted suspension to prevent damage on bumpy roads, skid plates to further keep the undercarriage safe, red tow hooks, and 17-inch wheels. It’s a solid package that should keep drivers feeling secure when off-roading but isn’t quite as comprehensive as Ford’s package. The style customization options for the Chevy Colorado are also a bit limited, so those looking to design a head-turning truck will likely prefer the 2022 Ford Ranger.
Get Ready to Tackle Anything in a Ford
There’s no denying that both the 2022 Ford Ranger and the 2022 Chevy Colorado are beloved pickups with a great reputation. We did, however, find that Ford offered more impressive safety features that make a big difference to drivers, including automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Add in the superior work performance and off-road features, and it’s clear that Ford came out on top in this midsize truck comparison.
