In the magical world of Trucktopia, big full-size and heavy-duty rigs always nab their Prince Charmings, while smaller compact and midsize trucks, like the Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger, are perpetually reduced to being bridesmaids, never brides. Which is a cryin’ shame because these little trucks are exceptionally capable go-getters who deserve their own spotlight. (This is when we angrily shake our fist in the air.)
Two of the more popular compact pickups for sale these days are little brothers to Trucktopia’s top brass. First is the Chevy Colorado, which shares many of the genetic traits of the Silverado 1500. The other is the Ford Ranger, which comes from the same family as the F-150. But unlike the Silverado vs. F-150 feud, Colorado vs. Ranger doesn’t really come down to your personal likes and dislikes. In this instance, the new 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is a better truck, straight up.
Allow us to walk the award-winning Colorado down the aisle and show you why it’s the star of the midsize and compact truck show.
Interior
Ask anyone in the industry what they think about the 2023 Ford Ranger, and they’ll all tell you the same thing: It’s no spring chicken. Its last major update was 2019, when it was re-released in America after a long hiatus, and that’s a lifetime in Trucktopia. Here’s proof:
“[Ranger is] a good proposition against a Tacoma, but only because that truck is now very old and due for replacement as well. The brand-new 2023 Chevy Colorado has dated the Tacoma and Ranger overnight.” – CarBuzz
“The Ranger seems like a competitive truck based on its specs and features list. But its ride quality and interior come across as carryovers from several years back, not something cooked up new to expressly serve the needs of U.S.-market customers in a competitive midsize-truck field.” – Edmunds
“…Ranger’s age is really starting to show. Its cabin is cramped, tech features behind the curve, and overall refinement not on the level of modern competitors.” – MotorTrend
“While its talents aren’t in doubt, the Ranger’s cabin is where its age shows the most. It looks like 2011 in there, and while not a bad cabin by the standards of that time, it’s plasticky and dated today.” – Forbes
On the other side of this Chevy vs. Ford comparison is the fully redone Colorado. It’s got all the makings of the best small truck of the year, including an interior that’s modern and equipped to the gills with tech.
Inside, Colorado sports a class-leading 11.3″ color touchscreen. This display is the heart and soul of the cabin. It’s fully customizable and comes with several segment-firsts, such as Google Built-In for accessing maps, music, vehicle functions and more, plus the class’s only standard 8″ digital instrument display.
With 10 available camera views, including a unique underbody camera on higher trims (yet another segment-first), Colorado beats the Ranger and every other midsize or compact pickup truck on the market. Hitch Guidance has become standard fare, and Hitch View and Chevy’s Trailering App are all-new additions for the 2023 model.
“Even the work truck gets Chevy’s new 11.3-inch infotainment system, which is a revelation among pickups. It’s smoother, crisper, better looking, and faster than any infotainment system this side of Tesla, with Google Assistant and Google Maps built in.” – Road and Track
“The function comes into focus when looking at the side-by-side cup holders and ample door-pocket stashes, along with the impressive 11.3-inch Google Built-in. It’s slick, fast, and standard across all models, which brings solid tech to the party.” – Top Speed
“The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado gets monster improvements over the previous model. Another significant change is the updated interior, which features a refreshed look heavily inspired by Chevy’s muscle cars. It also has improved technology features, such as an 11.3-inch infotainment screen and wireless smartphone integration.” – Motor Biscuit
Cabin dimensions also favor Colorado over Ranger. Front headroom and legroom are both substantially higher in the smallest Chevrolet truck. If you’re looking for the best small truck for tall drivers, Colorado’s got Ranger beat.
Performance
If there’s one thing this no-frills Ford truck can still do well, it’s hauling “stuff.” Ford Ranger is equippable with a singular engine: A 2.3L turbo-4 that rocks 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. That plant is connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s not the best small truck for towing—that honor goes to the 2023 Colorado—but it’s pretty close, offering up a trailering cap of 7,500 pounds with an available towing package.
The aforementioned Colorado bests the Ranger in towing capability, allowing users to haul around up to 7,700 pounds with an appropriate tow package. Again, that’s the most in the segment, which makes Colorado the undisputed best compact truck for towing.
Colorado’s power comes from one of three 2.7L turbo engines. The standard Colorado WT and LT models come with a turbocharged 2.7L ruffian that rides in on 237 horses and pushes 259 blistering pounds-foot of torque out. Upgrade to the Z71 or Trailboss for a beefier 2.7L Turbo Plus engine that makes 310 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. For even more power, pony up the dough for the Colorado ZR2 and receive a 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine that brings 310 hp and a mouth-watering 430 lb-ft of torque to the table.
You’ve also got five selectable drive modes—one more than the Ranger—from which to choose:
- Normal: A balanced mode for everyday on-road driving
- Tow/Haul: Transmission shift points, throttle response and additional calibrations optimized for trailering and hauling
- Off-Road: Specific tractive and other dynamic performance features designed for general off-pavement driving
- Terrain: Designed for low-speed rock crawling, with specific throttle control, brake performance and other calibrations, with three settings
- Baja: Developed for high-speed desert running, with specific throttle control, transmission shifting and other body/drivetrain control calibrations.
How about ground clearance? If you’re out on the trails, trekking over rocks, the Colorado ZR2 is your best bet to avoid scraping your skid plates. It offers 10.7 inches of ground clearance, one full inch more than the range-topping Ford Ranger Tremor SuperCrew.
Utility
Although towing prowess is important, the truck bed is every small pickup’s lifeblood. Chevy Colorado packs a whole lot more than Ford Ranger in this department, too, delivering even more class-firsts and segment-leading features.
The 2023 Colorado is equipped with 8 standard and 9 available tie-downs, which is most in the class. How many does Ford Ranger have? Four—Ford’s small truck has just four standard cargo box tie downs.
Colorado’s reconfigurable bed features a StowFlex Tailgate, which no other compact or midsize truck offers. This highly versatile tailgate provides owners with a lockable “trunk” that can also double as a cooler, complete with drain plug. (Ridgeline, eat your heart out!)
A Mid-Position Tailgate is also new for the Colorado, and that enables users to transport longer items (up to 500 pounds) with the tailgate slightly angled. Conveniently, Colorado’s tailgate is also pressed with a measuring tool, and its bed comes with lighting and a power outlet. That’s what you call best-in-class bed functionality.
The Chevy Colorado
In the Ford vs. Chevy truck debate, few people look past the F-150 and Silverado. That’s a mistake, as both the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado make an argument that bigger isn’t always better. Even the smallest new truck can do some big-boy tasks on occasion, and they make ideal urban vehicles for folks who need the extra oomph every so often. But when it comes down to which one’s better, Colorado undoubtedly makes (and wins) its case as the smallest pickup truck with the most to offer.
Looking for a deal on the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado in Kansas City? Visit McCarthy Chevrolet of Overland Park at 9201 Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park to view our selection and get our best finance or lease offer on the Colorado. We’ll show you, in person, why it’s one of the finest and most reliable small trucks for the money.
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