The midsize pickup truck realm is making a huge comeback, and the Colorado and Ranger have both returned to reclaim their top spots in the segment. The Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger offer tons of power and towing capacity for their size, but which one is the better buy for our Green Cove Springs, Florida area buyers? Continue reading to find out.
Exterior
Midsize trucks tend to forgo the rugged looks of their big brothers, and the 2019 Ford Ranger and 2019 Chevy Colorado carry these looks too. The Colorado is a touch more rugged looking than the ranger with its flatter front end and more angular wheel lips. Move into the more off-road-focused ZR2 model, and even more ruggedness comes out with its beefier tires, black moldings, and more.
The Ranger has a slightly softer look with a sloped hood, rounded nose, and less pronounced wheel flares. It gets a bit more aggressive with the FX4 Off-Road Package, which includes a lifted suspension, larger off-road wheels, a steel bash plate, and more.
The 2019 Chevy Colorado comes in three formats: extended cab with long bed, crew cab with long bed, and crew cab with short bed. It checks in at 212.7 to 224.9 inches long, 74.3 inches wide, and 70.3 to 70.7 inches tall. ITs wheelbase ranges from 128.3 to 140.5 inches. Ground clearance checks in at 8.1 to 8.9 inches.
The 2019 Ford Ranger has two formats: SuperCab with long bed and SuperCrew with short bed. The Ranger is 210.8 inches long, 73.3 inches wide, and 70.7 to 71.5 inches tall. It sits atop a 126.8-inch wheelbase and rides 8.4 to 8.9 inches off the ground.
Advantage: 2019 Chevy Colorado
- More cab and bed options
- More rugged looks
- Aggressive-looking ZR2 trim
Advantage: 2019 Ford Ranger
- Higher standard ground clearance
- Smaller footprint is easier to maneuver
Interior
Inside, the 2019 Chevy Colorado and 2019 Ford Ranger are a nice balance of rugged truck and stylish SUV. They both have upright dashboards with chunkier buttons and knobs for operation with work gloves on. Beyond that, they also have premium material options and tons of technology.
In the latter department, the 2019 Colorado has an available 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, OnStar, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi. The 2019 Ford Ranger also has plenty of available tech features, including 4G LTE Wi-Fi, a rearview camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 110-volt power outlet, and much more.
Between their ruggedness, upscale features, and advanced tech, it’s clear Ford and Chevy were trying to hit a sweet spot with the Ranger and Colorado.
Up front all 2019 Colorado models have 41.4 inches of headroom, 45 inches of legroom, 57.5 inches of shoulder room, and 55 inches of hip room. The 2019 Ford Ranger beats it in hip room by 0.8 inches, but it falls short in headroom by 1.6 inches, legroom by 1.9 inches, and shoulder room by 0.9 inches.
The Colorado extended cab’s rear seats have 36.7 inches of headroom, 28.6 inches of legroom, 57.3 inches of shoulder room, and 52.2 inches of hip room. The equivalent of the extended cab is the Ranger SuperCab, which has 3.1 inches more rear hip room and 1.8 inches more legroom, but it has 0.8 inches less headroom and 2.1 inches less shoulder room.
The 2019 Chevy Colorado Crew Cab’s rear seats offer 38.3 inches of headroom, 35.8 inches of legroom, 56.2 inches of shoulder room, and 53.3 inches of hip room. The Ranger SuperCab has the same rear headroom and beats the Colorado by 0.1 inches in legroom and 0.2 inches in hip room. The Ranger SuperCab’s rear seats have 1.3 inches less legroom than the Colorado.
Advantage: 2019 Chevy Colorado
- Roomier front seats
- More stylish cabin
Advantage: 2019 Ford Ranger
- Significantly more legroom in extended cab
Performance
The 2019 Chevy Colorado comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. This engine pairs with a standard six-speed manual transmission, but there is an optional six-speed automatic transmission. This engine comes standard with rear-wheel drive and has optional four-wheel drive.
Those looking for more power can opt for the 3.6-liter V-6 engine that cranks out 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission that ships power to the rear wheels. This engine is also available with four-wheel drive.
Buyer seeking more pulling power and less fuel consumption, there is the optional 2.8-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that produces 186 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This engine pairs with a standard six-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Optionally, buyers can get four-wheel drive.
Unlike the Colorado, the 2019 Ford Ranger has just one engine, a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that cranks out 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Optionally, buyers can add four-wheel drive.
Towing is not as big of a deal in the midsize pickup segment as it is in the full-size class, but it makes a difference to some buyers. The 2019 Colorado can tow up to 3,500 with the 2.5-liter engine, 7,000 pounds with the 3.6-liter V-6, and 7,700 pounds 2.8-liter diesel engine.
The 2019 Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds no matter what powertrain or cab-and-bed format.
Payload capacity — the maximum weight the truck can carry — is also not as important with these smaller trucks, but it plays a big role in a buying decision. The Colorado can haul between 1,373 pounds with the 2.5-liter engine with two-wheel drive to 1,566 pounds with the 3.6-liter engine and two-wheel drive. The Ranger can tote up to 1,560 pounds in its SuperCrew variant with two-wheel drive to 1,860 pounds in the SuperCab model with two-wheel drive.
Fuel economy is far from the first concern on a truck buyer’s mind, but it can play a role in a buying decision. The Colorado with the 2.5-liter engine gets up to 20 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined. With its 3.6-liter V-6, the Colorado gets up to 18 mpg city, 25 highway, and 20 combined. With the 2.8-liter diesel engine, the Colorado’s fuel economy shoots as high as 20 mpg city, 30 highway, and 23 combined.
The 2019 Ford Ranger gets up to 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined, beating the base Colorado and the V-6 model.
Advantage: 2019 Chevy Colorado
- More engine options
- Thrifty and powerful diesel engine
- Higher max towing capacity
Advantage: 2019 Ford Ranger
- Potent four-cylinder engine
- Better base towing
- Higher payload capacity
Pricing and Features
The 2019 Chevy Colorado has five trim levels available — base, WT, LT, Z71, and ZR2 — and their starting prices range from $21,495 to $41,895.
The 2019 Ford Ranger’s trim levels include the XL, XLT, and Lariat. Prices range from $24,300 to $32,210.
2019 Chevy Colorado Key Features and Pricing by Trim
Base: $21,495
- 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine
- Six-speed manual transmission
- Rear-wheel drive
- 16-inch Ultra Silver metallic steel wheels
- Black beltline molding
- Black door handles
- Black mirrors
- Black tailgate handle
- Cab-mounted cargo-area lights
- Chrome rear bumper
- CornerStep rear bumper
- Daytime running lights
- Locking tailgate
- 3.5-inch monochromatic driver-information display
- Four-way power driver’s seat
- Six-speaker audio system
- Black interior door handles
- Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with 7-inch touchscreen
- Power windows and door locks
- Rearview camera
- Rubberized vinyl floor covering
- Single-zone climate control
- Two USB ports
WT: $24,995
- All Base features, plus
- Carpeted floors
- Dual rear seats
- Front and rear carpeted floor mats
LT: $28,495
- All WT features, plus
- Six-speed automatic transmission
- 17-inch Blade Silver cast-aluminum wheels
- Body-color door handles
- Body-color power mirrors
- Body-color rear bumper
- Chrome beltline moldings
- Blind-spot mirror
- 4.2-inch color driver-information center
- Six-way power driver’s seat
- Built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi
- Two charge-only USB ports in center console
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Chrome interior door handles
- Cruise control
- HD Radio
- SiriusXM radio
- HD rearview camera
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Overhead console
- Keyless entry
- Steering wheel-mounted controls
- OnStar
Z71: $31,595
- All LT features, plus
- 17-inch Dark Argent cast-aluminum wheels
- All-terrain tires
- Automatic-locking rear differential
- Black recovery hooks
- Hill descent control
- Off-road suspension
- Black beltline moldings
- Heated mirrors
- EZ-Lift and Lower Tailgate
- Fog lights
- Manual-sliding rear window
- Projector-beam headlights
- Four-way power passenger seat
- Automatic climate control
- Heated steering wheel
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Power driver and passenger’s seat lumbar
- Rear park assist
- Rear window defogger
- Remote ignition
- Wireless charger
ZR2: $41,895
- All Z71 features, plus
- 3.6-liter V-6 engine
- Four-wheel drive
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Two-speed transfer case
- Full-locking front differential
- Trailer-brake controller
- Body cladding
- Tow/Haul mode
- Trailering Package
- Trailering assist guidelines
- Transfer case shield
- 17-inch aluminum wheels
- Black rear bumper
- Off-road appearance package
- Spray-on bed liner
- Jet Black leather seating
2019 Ford Ranger Key Features and Pricing by Trim
XL: $24,300
- 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- 16-inch silver steel wheels
- Black wheel-lip molding
- Auto-on/off halogen headlights
- Black mesh grille with black surround
- Cargo lamp
- Black door handles
- Six tie-down hooks in bed
- Black mirrors
- Black steel bumpers
- Intermittent wipers
- 2.3-inch driver information center
- Black vinyl floor covering
- Single-zone manual climate control
- Cloth seating
- Rear underseat storage
- Black urethane steering wheel
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Vinyl console lid
- Power front windows with one-touch-down driver’s window
- Six-speaker AM/FM stereo system
- Two front 12-volt power outlets
- One rear 12-volt power outlet
- FordPass Connect 4G LTE Wi-Fi
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Trailer sway control
- Four-pin wiring harness
- Rearview camera
XLT: $27,940
- All XL features, plus
- Body-color bumpers
- Fog lights
- Carbon black mesh grille with silver surround
- Two front tow hooks
- Power mirrors with black caps
- Power tailgate lock
- Fixed tinted rear window
- 17-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels
- Body-color wheel-lip moldings
- Color-coordinated floor mats
- Cruise control
- 4.2-inch driver-information center
- Overhead console
- 110-volt power outlet
- Ford SYNC
- Voice recognition
- One smart-charging USB port
- Remote ignition via mobile app
- Remote keyless entry
- Ford MyKey
- Perimeter anti-theft alarm
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-keep assist
Lariat: $32,210
- All XLT features, plus
- 18-inch aluminum wheels with Stealth Gray pockets
- Body-color door and tailgate handles
- Chrome grille bars and chrome grille surrounds
- Body-color mirrors with power folding, integrated turn signals, and courtesy lights
- Manual-sliding rear glass
- LED cargo lights
- Dual 4.2-inch color driver-information center screens
- Ambient lighting
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Carpeted floor mats with Nubuck edges
- Leather-wrapped shifter knob
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Leather seating
- Heated front seats
- Eight-way power front seats
- Leather rear seats
- LED headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- LED fog lights
- LED taillights
- SYNC 3
- 8-inch touchscreen with swipe and pinch-to-zoom capability
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Two smart-charging USB ports
- Intelligent Access with push-button start
- SiriusXM audio
- Universal garage door opener
Who Should Buy the 2019 Chevy Colorado?
The 2019 Chevy Colorado starts with a lower base price, making it a great option for buyers on a tighter budget. Also, its wider range of engines give it more fine-tuning options for buyers. Â Finally, the diesel engine offers class-leading towing power and up to 30 mpg highway.
Who Should Buy the 2019 Ford Ranger?
Don’t feel like fine-tuning your truck and just want the best towing capacity for the money? The 2019 Ford Ranger’s 2.3-liter turbocharged engine is a great towing companion that also delivers decent fuel economy.
Ready to take on the streets of Orange Park or the back trails around the Fleming Island area? The 2019 Chevy Colorado is a great option with it a range of engine options, off-road packages, and cab options. Head to the Garber Automall showroom serving the Jacksonville area to take the 2019 Colorado for a test drive. It won’t disappoint you. If you can’t make it in today, you can check out our online inventory to make sure we have a Colorado in stock that suits your needs.
