2019 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2020 Ford Ranger

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 with the Midnight Edition option package was a striking truck, though its triple-black color scheme made it difficult to keep clean. The Colorado lineup offered a range of trims, from a basic extended cab with rear-wheel drive and a 4-cylinder engine starting at $22,395, to a fully loaded ZR2 crew cab with 4-wheel drive and the rugged Bison Package, costing over $52,000. The Z71 crew cab, priced at $37,000, struck a balance between these extremes, and with the Midnight Edition treatment and side-step running boards, it totaled $41,765. The Colorado's design was clean and balanced, with the rugged ZR2 adding functional styling changes. Inside, the cabin was practical and easy to clean, though the plastic panels could scuff and scratch easily.

The 2020 Ford Ranger marked its return to the American market after an eight-year hiatus, bringing a larger and more sophisticated design based on its international version. The Ranger's styling was clean and somewhat aggressive, avoiding the "bigger-and-blockier" trend of American trucks. Inside, the Ranger's cabin was functional but not entirely welcoming, with hard plastics that could withstand abuse but felt low-rent compared to competitors like the Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline. The Ranger was available in XL, XLT, and Lariat trims, with the XLT offering a good balance of features and the Lariat adding upscale touches like leather upholstery and ambient cabin lighting. Several appearance packages and off-road options like the FX2 and FX4 were also available.

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado offered three engine choices. The entry-level 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. Most Colorados featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. A 2.8-liter turbo-diesel 4-cylinder engine, available for LT, Z71, and ZR2 trims, delivered 181 horsepower and an impressive 369 pound-feet of torque. The maximum tow rating was 7,700 pounds with the turbo-diesel engine, while the V6 could handle up to 7,000 pounds. The Z71 trim included off-road suspension tuning and Chevy’s Autotrac system, offering various drive modes. On pavement, the V6 engine provided strong acceleration, though the throttle response was reluctant, and the steering felt heavy and numb. The Z71 suspension made the ride bouncy on rough roads, but the truck handled well on twisty mountain roads.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A ten-speed automatic transmission routed power to the rear wheels or available four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. The Ranger's turbo engine provided plenty of power at low speeds and for highway passing. It could tow up to 7,500 pounds and had a maximum payload capacity of 1,860 pounds with the SuperCab and 4x2 drivetrain. The Ranger felt stiff in normal driving, with some chatter and vibration over bumps and noticeable body roll in corners. The FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages added off-road tires, an electronically locking rear differential, and off-road-tuned suspension, with the FX4 also including Trail Control and the Terrain Management System for various off-road conditions.

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado's interior emphasized function over form, with easy-to-use controls and plenty of storage spots. The front seats offered power adjustment for seat height and lumbar support, with durable leatherette upholstery and firm but supportive cushions. The rear bench seat was cramped, but Chevrolet provided cup holders, USB charging ports, and a power outlet to make it more agreeable. The Colorado featured handy corner-step bumpers, an EZ Lift and Lower tailgate, a spray-in bed liner, and an overhead cargo light. The truck's maximum payload rating was 1,557 pounds, and it offered a range of accessories to meet various utility needs.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab seated four with a 2+2 layout, while the SuperCrew had seating for five with a full rear bench. The SuperCab's rear seats were tight and more suited for kids, with rear-opening clamshell half-doors for access. The SuperCrew's rear seats were more comfortable for adults. Both body styles provided deep in-door pockets, bottle holders, and ample storage spaces. The Ranger paired a six-foot bed with the SuperCab and a five-foot bed with the SuperCrew, offering features like a remote locking tailgate, LED bed lighting, and a wall-style power outlet. However, it did not offer a bed-step like the Colorado.

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado featured the new-for-2019 Chevrolet Infotainment 3 touchscreen system, available with a 7- or 8-inch display. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice recognition. The system supported OnStar subscription services, including a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included a navigation system, a Bose premium sound system, and a wireless phone-charging pad. The tuning knob's user experience was frustrating, but the steering-wheel buttons provided a better alternative for changing stations.

The 2020 Ford Ranger's XL trim had a basic AM/FM stereo with four speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. FordPass Connect was included, offering remote lock/unlock, remote start, and WiFi hotspot capability. The XLT trim added SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional voice-activated navigation. The Lariat trim featured a standard B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers.

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado came with standard safety features like a reversing camera and a Teen Driver monitoring system. Crew cab versions included a rear-seat reminder. The Colorado LT could be optioned with forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning systems. OnStar Safety & Security plan subscribers received additional safety features. The Colorado had a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with excellent side-impact protection but a 3-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS rated it poorly for headlights, child seat LATCH anchors, and front passenger safety in a small overlap collision.

The 2020 Ford Ranger included standard front- and side-impact airbags, a child-seat anchoring system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. It also had automatic headlights, automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, and pedestrian detection. The XLT trim added Ford CoPilot 360 with lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse parking sensors. The Technology Package added forward parking sensors and adaptive cruise control. The Ranger earned top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It had one recall for the ten-speed automatic transmission.