2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2022 Ford Maverick

The 2022 Ford Maverick carried a conventional pickup truck aesthetic, in stark contrast to its rival, the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Its styling largely echoed those of the larger Ford trucks like the F-150 and Ranger, especially with its notable wheel arches and taillights. However, the front end of the Maverick deviated from this norm, featuring large headlights and a grille crossbar that offered a less striking design than its siblings. Measuring 199.7 inches in length and standing at 68.7 inches tall, the Maverick was almost a foot shorter and 4.6 inches lower than the Ford Ranger, greatly benefiting from its unibody platform shared with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport crossover SUVs.

The base Maverick XL came equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, while the upper trims donned 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels. Exclusively offered in 2022, the Maverick First Edition package included black graphics, a soft tonneau cover, and unique wheels and paint colors, adding extra flair. The higher trims also offered luxury packages with amenities like a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel and heated seats. Despite the heavy use of plastic within the interior—typical for vehicles at its price point—Ford managed to inject a playful and functional design. Multi-colored plastics, exposed fasteners, and minimal trim pieces lent it character, while neat weave patterns brightened even the base XL seats. The Maverick’s interior harmonized utility with an engaging design ethos, proving high style need not be sacrificed in entry-level vehicles.

In comparison, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss projected an off-road-ready image right from the factory. Box-flared fenders with charcoal gray trim, a deeply sculpted hood, and a popular blacked-out look primed the Radiant Red Colorado for rugged trails. Overall, the Colorado showcased a balanced blend of stance and detail, avoiding overt flamboyance both inside and out. Inspired touches akin to those in the Camaro appeared within the interior, notably dashboard toggle switches and round air vents.

Nevertheless, the base Work Truck (WT) and Trail Boss trims suffered from a predominantly gray fascia and an uninspired interior. Unlike higher-end models such as the LT, Z71, and ZR2, which received body-color accents and more refined cabins, the Trail Boss lacked color contrast, showcasing varying grains and gloss levels of plastic instead. These higher trims also shared more powerful engine versions and fancier finishing touches than the predominantly utilitarian WT and Trail Boss.

The 2022 Ford Maverick featured a standard hybrid powertrain that consisted of a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with a single electric motor and continuously variable transmission (CVT). This system generated a total of 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. For those desiring more muscle, an optional EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, accompanied by an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powerplant was available only with front-wheel drive (FWD), whereas the EcoBoost offered standard FWD with an optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) configuration.

The Maverick’s FX4 package, exclusive to AWD XLT and Lariat models, provided off-road enthusiasts with adjusted suspension, added underbody shielding, hill-descent control, and specialized drive modes for Mud/Rut and Sand terrains. During an off-road test; the FX4 demonstrated its capability by tackling steep, rocky hills and muddy pathways with surprising dexterity. This off-road prowess was a notch above many crossover SUVs within its price bracket, although it might not satisfy hardcore off-roading aficionados.

On paved surfaces, the Maverick's unibody platform granted a more car-like ride quality, softer than the often-jarring experience common to body-on-frame trucks. Large exterior mirrors and low door sills aided maneuvering, despite the slightly impaired forward visibility due to its tall hood. The hybrid powertrain offered smoother, more refined driving compared to the more powerful yet somewhat rambunctious EcoBoost variant.

For the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado, every model featured a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. In the WT and LT trims, the engine produced 237 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque from 1,200 to 4,000 rpm. The Trail Boss and Z71 delivered a punchier 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 391 pound-feet at 2,000 rpm. For the ZR2 models, this engine still churned out 310 horsepower but with a beefier 430 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. Standardizing an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Colorado’s Autotrac 4WD system varied according to trim, with Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 enjoying a two-speed transfer case including 4WD Lo.

The Trail Boss also featured a 2-inch suspension lift, while the ZR2 enjoyed a 3-inch lift, both with a wider front track. Exclusively, the ZR2 was equipped with Multimatic DSSV dampers for superior off-road performance. Off-road functionality was further bolstered by all-terrain tires for the Trail Boss and Z71, and mud-terrain tires for the ZR2.

Testing the Trail Boss on rocky, rutted surfaces, the truck managed the terrain effectively, particularly in Off-Road mode. Despite its substantial ground clearance of 9.5 inches, it occasionally struck the underbody against unforgiving paths. On paved roads, however, the Colorado Trail Boss displayed a remarkably quiet demeanor, attributed to its solid suspension and robust design. Maneuverability and comfort were notable, aided by a comfortable steering effort and responsive brake pedal. While the engine provided strong acceleration, its character and sound didn’t measure up to the more engaging performance of Ford’s EcoBoost turbo engines. Disappointingly, our test yielded a fuel economy lower than expected, averaging 17 mpg against an official rating of 19 mpg.

The 2022 Ford Maverick was exclusively available as a four-door crew-cab, offering an impressive amount of legroom, even surpassing that of the larger Toyota Tacoma. It also outdid the Hyundai Santa Cruz in front-seat legroom and offered more rear legroom in its 2.0-liter EcoBoost form. However, the Santa Cruz led in terms of headroom and shoulder room for both rows.

A key highlight for the Maverick was its multitude of storage solutions within the interior, featuring cubbies behind and beside the touchscreen, on the center console, and beneath the rear seats. Clever additions like the FITS (Ford Integrated Tether System) empowered users to customize storage solutions, potentially including 3D-printed accessories. The bed's 4.5-foot length, shorter than that of the Ranger's crew-cab version, was optimized with the FlexBed system, offering tiedown cleats, indents for making dividers or false floors, and a multi-position tailgate to secure materials like 4x8 sheets of plywood.

The Maverick's towing capacity was set at 4,000 pounds for the EcoBoost (2,000 pounds for the hybrid), slightly under some crossover SUVs, yet still practical. The payload capacity stood at 1,500 pounds, with conveniences like an in-bed power outlet and tailgate tiedowns that doubled as bottle openers.

Conversely, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss’s cabin required a climb, especially for shorter individuals, to access its comfortable seating for four. While a fifth could fit into the rear middle seat, it was not ideal for anything but short trips or smaller passengers. The Trail Boss’s standard cloth upholstery wasn’t pet-hair friendly, but the eight-way power driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support offered a proper driving position, despite lacking such adjustments for the front passenger seat.

Wider individuals might find the front seats pinching at the hips over longer drives, although the back seat presented acceptable comfort for tall passengers. Rear legroom was somewhat tight but made better by softly padded front seatbacks. The manual air conditioning system functioned adequately, achieving comfort quickly even in hot weather.

However, storage was deficient, with only small door panel trays, a glove compartment, and an inconveniently narrow center console bin. The cupholders were well-positioned, with extra ones in the rear seat armrest. The 41.9 cubic-foot bed stretched over five feet long, incorporating the EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate with Chevy’s StowFlex storage panel—though its tabs seemed fragile. The Mid-Position tailgate allowed support for long items, maintaining a focus on practicality.

Payload and towing capacities for the Colorado ranged widely, with the Trail Boss model supporting substantial off-road gear but burdened by heavier fuel consumption.

The 2022 Ford Maverick hosted the older Sync 3 infotainment system, forgoing the more advanced Sync 4. The standard 8-inch touchscreen integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, albeit not wirelessly, and included a WiFi hotspot supporting up to 10 devices. Its infotainment system was simplistic but functional, with basic graphics and no built-in navigation. Phone slots with optional wireless charging and easy cable threading to USB ports were thoughtful additions. These relatively modest tech offerings sufficed for an entry-level vehicle focused on practicality.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado impressed with its digital instrumentation and Google Built-in technology, even for the base WT model. A standard 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system paired with an 8-inch screen for digital instrumentation, except in the ZR2, which offered an 11-inch display. The Google-based integration provided natural voice recognition via Google Assistant, up-to-date Google Maps navigation, and app access through Google Play. Additionally, the system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, OnStar, and WiFi connectivity.

While the Google Assistant required an adjustment period, it elevated the in-car experience alongside options like wireless charging and an excellent stereo system, particularly the seven-speaker Bose system in the ZR2. Added towing technology, including high-definition cameras, further enhanced the Colorado’s practical value, making hitching and viewing surroundings easier for drivers.

Safety was a prominent focus for the 2022 Ford Maverick, although crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) were unavailable at the time. Standard Ford Co-Pilot360 features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams. Optional upgrades such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane centering, and evasive steering assist enhanced safety capabilities.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado likewise boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features. OnStar features such as SOS emergency calls and crash notifications, a Teen Driver system that provided driving report cards, and the Buckle to Drive function underscored its commitment to safety. The standard Chevy Safety Assist package included forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Enhanced options like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with Blind Zone Steering Assist, rear cross-traffic and pedestrian alert with braking, and rear parking sensors provided further safety assurances.

Notably, the forward-collision warning system's sensitivity caused aggravation due to frequent false alerts unless adjusted to the shortest gap setting. This issue detracted from the otherwise strong safety performance.