2019 Ford Ranger Vs. 2019 Chevrolet Colorado

 The midsize pickup segment has returned in full force with tons of automakers jumping back into the segment and maximizing their reach. In 2019, the Ford Ranger returns to our Jacksonville area showroom with a new look, potent engine, and huge towing. How does it stack up against a leader in the segment like the 2020 Chevy Colorado? Continue reading to find out.

Exterior

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado returned into the midsize pickup fold in 2015. This completely redesigned midsize truck rolled in with a bold new look that sought to revolutionize this rebounding segment, and refresh the segment it did. The Colorado continues with the same baby-Silverado design language it’s had since its return, despite it big bro getting an all-new look. This design helps buyers who want the looks of a full-size pickup but don’t haul enough to warrant buying one.

Buyers seeking something more rugged will find that in the Colorado ZR2 model, which boasts a higher ride height, a revised bumper for optimal off-roading, a black hood scoop, and much more.  

The Ford Ranger returns in 2019 with a slightly softer look relative to the Colorado with its more windswept nose and sleeker lines. It is still very much a pickup truck, but it is just a sleeker take on it. Buyers who crave something a little more rugged have nothing on the level of the Colorado ZR2, but the Ranger’s FX4 Off-Road Package adds larger wheels, off-road tires, a locking rear differential, special decals, a bash plate, skid plates, and to look and perform more like an off-roader. 

In sizing, the Ranger has just one option, a 210.8-inch body atop a 126.8-inch wheelbase. Within this space, it offers two cab options, but the overall size of the truck doesn’t change with the cab. The Chevy Colorado, however, has a multiple cab and bed sizes, so its overall size and wheelbase vary depending on the options you choose.

Boiled down, the Colorado is, for the most part, a larger pickup by as much as 14.1 inches in length when you opt for the Crew Cab and long bed. Even in its smallest size, the Extended Cab with the regular bed, the Colorado is 1.9 inches longer than the Ranger.

Advantage: 2020 Chevy Colorado

•       More cab and bed options
•       More truck-like look
•       Rugged-looking ZR2 model

Advantage: 2019 Ford Ranger

•       Sleeker, more modern appearance
•       Smaller and easier to manage

Interior

Inside, there is no mistaking the 2020 Colorado or the 2019 Ranger as anything but pickup trucks. Both trucks feature simple cabin setups with minimal flair. It’s not that they lack premium features, but their overall designs are more upright and angular, just like their larger siblings.

What separates these pickups are their standard and optional features. The Ford Ranger puts more emphasis on keeping its occupants safe with its standard automatic emergency braking in the base XL trim and standard blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and more in just the second-tier XLT trim. The Colorado offers all these features, but they are part of a pricey package in the higher trim levels.

The 2020 Chevy Colorado puts more of a focus on tech the occupants will enjoy, like the standard Chevrolet Infotainment System 3, which includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth audio streaming, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Six-speaker audio system. This is all available on the Ranger, but it is only on the range-topping Lariat model. The base Ranger XL has no infotainment system – just an AM/FM radio – and its midrange XLT trim has just a 4.2-inch non-touchscreen infotainment system sans smartphone integration.

Advantage: 2020 Chevy Colorado

•       Roomier Crew Cab model
•       Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
•       Standard 7-inch touchscreen

Advantage: 2019 Ford Ranger

•       Standard automatic emergency braking
•       More accessible advanced safety options
•       More legroom in extended cab format

Performance

While many trucks, midsize rigs included, prefer to use a plethora of engine options, the Ranger has just one. Its 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder does right by virtually every buyer with 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This potent unit pumps its power through a 10-speed automatic transmission and out to the rear or all four wheels for a 6.8-second 0-to-60 time and a 7,500-pound towing capacity.

The 2020 Colorado falls in line with other trucks in offering three powertrain options, starting with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that injects 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. This engine pairs with a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic for a 9.3-second 0-to-60 time and a 3,500-pound-towing capacity.

Optionally, buyers can pick up a 3.6-liter V-6 that pumps 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission for a 6.3-second 0-to-60 time and a 7,000-pound towing capacity.

Topping the 2020 Colorado range is the 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine with 186 horsepower and a stump-pulling 369 pound-feet of torque. This power flows through a six-speed automatic transmission on its way to the rear or all four wheels for a 7,700-pound towing capacity and a 9.1-second 0-to-60 time. This diesel engine also delivers an outstanding 30 mpg highway with two-wheel drive. This is the only powertrain that beats the Ranger’s up to 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined.

Advantage:

•       Powerful diesel engine
•       V-6 delivers great straight-line speed
•       Rugged ZR2 model

Advantage: 2019 Ford Ranger

•       Potent four-cylinder engine
•       Quicker than all but the V-6-powered Colorado
•       Advanced automatic transmission

Pricing and Features

The 2020 Chevy Colorado has five trim levels – Base, WT, LT, Z71, and ZR2 – their starting prices range from $22,395 to $42,495.

The 2019 Ford Ranger has just three trim levels: XL, XLT, and Lariat. Their starting prices range from $24,300 to $32,390.

2020 Chevy Colorado Key Features and Pricing by Trim

Base: $22,395

•       2.5-liter four-cylinder engine
•       Six-speed automatic  transmission
•       Rear-wheel drive
•       Electric power steering
•       Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes
•       16-inch ultra silver metallic steel wheels
•       18-inch compact spare tire
•       Chrome CornerStep rear bumper
•       Black beltline moldings
•       Halogen headlights
•       Daytime running lights
•       Black manual-adjust mirrors
•       Black door handles
•       Locking tailgate
•       Black tailgate handle
•       Chevrolet Infotainment System 3
•       7-inch touchscreen
•       Bluetooth audio streaming
•       Apple CarPlay
•       Android Auto
•       Six-speaker audio system
•       Four-way power driver’s seat
•       Two-way manual passenger’s seat
•       Rubberized vinyl flooring
•       Urethane steering wheel
•       Rear seat delete
•       Tilt steering
•       3.5-inch monochromatic driver-information center
•       Power windows with driver’s side express up/down
•       Power door locks
•       Two Type-A USB ports
•       Single-zone climate control
•       Black interior door handles
•       Rearview camera
•       Teen Driver

WT: $25,895

•       All Base features, plus
•       Folding rear bench seat
•       Carpeted flooring
•       Carpeted front and rear floor mats

LT: $28,795

•       All WT features, plus
•       17-inch aluminum wheels
•       Body-color rear bumper
•       Body-color mirrors
•       Body-color door handles
•       Chrome beltline molding
•       EZ lift and lower tailgate
•       Remote-locking tailgate
•       Blind-spot mirror
•       4.2-inches color driver-information center
•       4G LTE Wi-Fi
•       Two rear charge-only USB ports
•       Chevrolet Connected Access capable
•       Chrome interior door handles
•       Cruise control
•       Illuminated vanity mirrors
•       High-definition radio
•       Leather-wrapped steering wheel
•       Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
•       Overhead console
•       Remote keyless entry
•       Steering-wheel-mounted controls
•       8-inch high-definition touchscreen
•       SiriusXM
•       Remote keyless entry
•       Leather-wrapped steering wheel
•       High-definition rearview camera
•       Six-way power passenger’s seat
•       OnStar

Z71: $34,995

•       All LT features, plus
•       3.6-liter V-6 engine
•       Eight-speed automatic transmission
•       Off-road suspension
•       Hill-descent control
•       Tow/haul mode
•       Trailering assist guidelines
•       Automatic-locking rear differential
•       17-inch Dark Argent cast-aluminum wheels
•       Black recovery hooks
•       Black beltline moldings
•       Body-color, heated, power mirrors
•       Fog lights
•       Manual sliding rear window
•       Projector-beam headlights
•       Four-way power passenger’s seat
•       Automatic climate control
•       Heated front seats
•       Heated steering wheel
•       Power lumbar control or front seats
•       Remote ignition
•       Wireless ignition
•       Rear park assist

ZR2: $42,495

•       All Z71 features, plus
•       Four-wheel drive
•       Multimatic suspension dampers
•       Autotrac two-speed transfer case
•       Fully locking front differential
•       Fully locking rear differential
•       Integrated trailer brake control
•       Off-road rocker protection
•       2-inch receiver hitch
•       Four- and seven-pin connectors
•       Seven-wire electrical harness and seven-pin sealed connector
•       Four-way sealed connector
•       Transfer case shield
•       17-inch aluminum wheels
•       Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires
•       Black rear bumper
•       Spray-on bed liner
•       Off-road front fascia, rear bumper, and fender flares

Ford Ranger Key Features and Pricing by Trim

XL: $24,300

•       2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine
•       10-speed automatic transmission
•       Rear-wheel drive
•       Four-wheel anti-lock brakes
•       16-inch silver steel wheels
•       Black wheel-lip moldings
•       Black mesh grille with black surround
•       Black door handles
•       Halogen headlights with auto on/off
•       Daytime running lights
•       Four cargo tie-down hooks in the bed
•       Black mirrors with manually adjustable glass
•       Locking tailgate
•       Trailer sway control
•       Intermittent windshield wipers
•       2.3-inch driver-information screen
•       Black vinyl flooring
•       Single-zone manual climate control
•       Four-way manual front seats
•       Rear seat
•       Urethane steering wheel
•       Vinyl console lid
•       Power front windows and one-touch up/down driver’s glass
•       AM/FM audio system
•       SecuriLock passive anti-theft system
•       Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
•       Forward-collision warning
•       Rearview camera

XLT: $28,120

•       All XL features, plus
•       Body-color bumpers
•       Fog lights
•       Carbon Black mesh grille with a silver surround
•       Two front tow hooks
•       Power mirrors
•       Tinted rear glass
•       17-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels
•       Body-color wheel-lip moldings
•       Carpeted floors
•       Floor mats
•       4.2-inch driver-information center
•       Overhead console
•       110-volt power outlet
•       SYNC infotainment system
•       Enhanced voice recognition
•       4.2-inch infotainment screen
•       AppLink
•       One smart-charging USB port
•       4G LTE Wi-Fi
•       Remote ignition
•       Parked-vehicle locator
•       Six-speaker AM/FM audio system
•       Remote keyless entry
•       Remote tailgate lock
•       Ford MyKey
•       Perimeter anti-theft alarm
•       Automatic high-beam headlights
•       Blind-spot monitoring
•       Lane-keep assist
•       Front and rear parking sensors

Lariat: $32,390

•       All XLT features, plus
•       18-inch machined aluminum wheels with Stealth Gray pockets
•       LED headlights
•       LED taillights
•       Body-color door handles
•       Chrome-bar grille with a chrome surround
•       Lariat fender vent
•       Power-folding side-view mirror
•       Heated side-view mirror
•       Mirror-integrated turn signals
•       Puddle lights
•       Body-color mirror caps
•       Manual-sliding rear window
•       LED cargo light
•       Two 4.2-inch color driver-information screens
•       Ambient lighting
•       Dual-zone automatic climate control
•       Carpeted floor mats with Nubuck edges
•       Leather-wrapped shift knob
•       Leather-wrapped steering wheel
•       Auto-dimming rearview mirror
•       Leather front seats
•       Eight-way power front seats
•       Heated front seats
•       Power lumbar
•       Leather rear seats
•       Illuminated vanity mirrors
•       SYNC 3 infotainment system
•       Enhanced voice recognition
•       8-inch touchscreen
•       911 assist
•       Apple CarPlay
•       Android Auto
•       Two smart-charging USB ports
•       Push-button ignition
•       SiriusXM
•       Universal garage door opener

Who Should Buy the 2020 Chevy Colorado

The 2020 Chevy Colorado is a great option for buyers who need a truck they can fine-tune to their needs via engine options and various packages. Sure, this may add confusion for the buyers who just want a truck, but it comes in handy for buyers with specific towing, hauling, or off-roading needs.

Who Should Buy the 2019 Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger is a truck for someone who just needs a truck. Whether they do a little towing, commuting, family-hauling, or just cruise around town, the Ranger can do it all very well. It lacks the duty-tuned versions the Colorado has, like the off-road-ready ZR2 and the tow-ready diesel, but it also eliminates confusion by offering the ability to do everything well enough.

Ready to make your garage the new home for a 2019 Ford Ranger? Head down to Garber Automall serving the Orange Park, Jacksonville, and Fleming Island areas to take a 2019 Ranger for a test drive and see how well it fits your needs. Can’t make it into our Jacksonville area showroom today? You can also check out our in-stock 2019 Ranger models via our online inventory page, choose a few that suit your needs, and schedule a test drive around your busy schedule.