2023 Ford Maverick vs 2024 Chevrolet Colorado

The 2023 Ford Maverick retained its distinctive styling, characterized by a blocky front end and headlights, which set it apart within the Ford truck family. The Maverick Tremor variant added off-road capabilities and aesthetic enhancements, such as blacked-out logos and unique color options like Avalanche Gray. The Tremor package also featured orange tow hooks, updated fender vents, and a new grille with orange accents, offering a sporty look with its special 17-inch wheels. Inside, the Maverick's crew cab was dominated by hard plastic materials, with Black Onyx seats providing a heathered, salt-and-pepper appearance. Despite the utilitarian feel, the interior design leaned towards a highbrow look, especially with the blue-tinted plastic elements.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado embraced a bold redesign, adopting a "Camaro-ify Everything" approach with aggressive, futuristic styling. The Colorado's rakish headlights and sharply angled grille echoed the design language of the Camaro. Inside, the Colorado featured a clean, horizontal dashboard layout with Camaro-inspired circular climate control vents. The base WT model offered a digital instrument panel, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, and an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like the LT added features such as alloy wheels, a remote locking tailgate, and additional convenience packages that enhanced comfort and functionality. Off-road models like the Trail Boss and ZR2 Bison further expanded the Colorado's capabilities with specialized suspension and protective gear.

The 2023 Ford Maverick was notable for its standard hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. This setup came with a CVT and front-wheel drive, while the 2.0-liter, 250-hp EcoBoost engine offered an eight-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. The Tremor package introduced Ford's "Advanced 4WD" system, enhancing off-road adaptability with features like Trail Control. The Maverick's towing capacity varied, with the EcoBoost engine capable of pulling up to 4,000 lbs, though the Tremor package reduced this to 2,000 lbs.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado offered turbocharged four-cylinder engines, with the base version delivering 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the Turbo Max version provided 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering solid low-end power and responsive acceleration. The Colorado's maximum towing capacity reached 7,700 pounds, with a payload capacity of 1,710 pounds. The ZR2 Bison variant excelled in off-road performance, featuring Multimatic DSSV dampers for exceptional shock absorption and a well-rounded on-road driving experience.

The 2023 Ford Maverick, with the Tremor package, extended its length by an inch but maintained consistent legroom across models. Gas engine variants offered 42.8 inches of front legroom and 36.9 inches in the rear, while the hybrid reduced rear legroom to 35.9 inches. The Maverick's interior, though dominated by plastic, could be upgraded with the Luxury Package, adding heated elements and leather-wrapped features.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado was available in a four-door quad cab with a 5-foot, 2-inch bed. The Colorado's car-like seating position provided comfort for long trips, with ample front-row space. However, second-row legroom was tight, especially for taller passengers. The Colorado's high bed wall and floor posed challenges for loading, but the redesigned bed steps improved accessibility. The ZR2 Bison's bed-mounted spare tire reduced usable space, necessitating alternative mounting solutions for frequent bed use.

The 2023 Ford Maverick featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with standard Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Lariat trim added a 6.5-inch LED driver-information display, additional USB ports, and a power-sliding rear window. The Lariat's Luxury Package further enhanced tech offerings with an eight-speaker B&O sound system and wireless charging.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado boasted an 11.3-inch touchscreen with a user-friendly layout and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included a digital dock for easy navigation between menus. Standard tech features encompassed an 11-inch digital instrument panel, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. Higher trims added wireless charging, additional USB ports, and wall-style power outlets, catering to tech-savvy users and campers alike.

The 2023 Ford Maverick came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot 360 suite, including automatic high beams, pre-collision assist, and a rearview camera. Additional safety features were available, such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Maverick earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with noted issues in rollover resistance and frontal crash tests.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. The LT Convenience Package III added reverse automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. The Colorado received a four-star frontal crash rating and a five-star side crash rating from the NHTSA, though it scored three stars in the rollover test.