Chevrolet Colorado vs Ford F-150 Lightning

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning marked a significant milestone in the automotive industry, yet it appeared deceptively normal. Its design closely mirrored the conventional F-150, save for unique styling cues that identified it as an EV. Buyers had four trims to choose from: Pro, XLT, Lariat, and Platinum, all featuring a single cab style and bed length—a crew cab and a 5.5-foot bed. The Pro trim, misleadingly named for an entry-level model, targeted fleet buyers and budget-conscious consumers with a base price in the low $40,000 range.

Despite its similarities to gas-powered F-150s, the Lightning displayed some distinct features. A large LED headlight bar dominated the front, replacing the gas model’s grille with a plastic façade and incorporating stacks of three lights on the sides. The rear design was subtle, with Pro and XLT trims showing the standard blue oval emblem and the F-150 stamp. Higher trims like the Lariat and Platinum sported a taillight bar that spanned the rear, relocating the blue oval to the corner. Inside, the F-150 Lightning offered a spacious cabin, boasting 43.9 inches of front legroom and 43.6 inches in the rear. The interior materials, while including plenty of plastic in the Lariat trim, also featured several quality touchpoints. Ford’s extensive experience with the F-Series shone through in the ergonomics of the cabin, further enhanced with a panoramic sunroof, abundant storage options, and versatile power outlets.

In stark contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss exuded ruggedness with factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders accented in charcoal gray, and a highly sculpted hood. The aggressive visual appeal was complemented by practical features like a front skid plate. However, the monotonous gray interior of the Trail Boss and Work Truck (WT) trims, filled with cheap materials, dampened the enthusiasm. This was less of an issue in higher trims like the LT, Z71, and ZR2, which featured body-color paint and more refined cabins.

The Colorado Trail Boss, one of several trims including WT, LT, Z71, and ZR2, ranged in price from $30,695 to $48,295. It came with enhancements like a spray-on bedliner and various trailering and skid plate packages, pushing the MSRP to $42,150. The rugged exterior promised off-road capability, but the interior, with dashboard toggle switches reminiscent of a Camaro, seemed basic. The cloth upholstery magnetized pet hair, and though the eight-way power driver’s seat offered decent comfort, wider drivers might have felt pinched. The snug rear seat accommodated six-footers, thanks to softly padded seatbacks and adequate thigh support. Given the Trail Boss’s practicality, it required some manual adjustments that diverged from modern automatic systems, but it also featured a manually adjustable air conditioning system that performed admirably in extreme heat.

Under the hood, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning boasted dual electric motors, delivering 426 horsepower with the standard range battery and an impressive 563 horsepower with the extended range battery. Both configurations provided a stunning 775 pound-feet of torque, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and a locking differential. This electrifying performance translated to remarkable acceleration, rivaling the F-150 Raptor on pavement, while maintaining a composed stance due to its low center of gravity. Despite a 230-mile range with the standard battery, upgraded to 320 miles with the extended range battery, the Lightning’s colossal curb weight of over three tons and less-than-ideal handling on winding roads limited its agility. Charging times were practical, with fast chargers capable of elevating the battery from 15% to 80% in less than 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado offered a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine variant across trims. The engine produced 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque for WT and LT trims, escalating to 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft for Trail Boss and Z71 models, with the ZR2 matching this horsepower but adding 430 lb-ft of torque. Each trim came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 also adding a two-speed transfer case for enhanced off-road capabilities.

With a 2-inch and 3-inch lift in the Trail Boss and ZR2, respectively, the suspension and tire configurations varied to optimize off-road performance. On tough terrains, the Trail Boss excelled, thanks to the Off-Road mode and Autotrac 4WD system, displaying minimal rear-wheel slip and maintaining momentum over rugged surfaces. However, the Trail Boss’s 17 mpg average fuel economy was disappointing compared to its official 19 mpg EPA rating. On pavement, the truck demonstrated structural rigidity and acceptable handling despite the tall ride height and tire configuration.

As a true pickup truck, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning prioritized functionality with a 5.5-foot bed equipped with ample tie-down points. Its hallmark was the 14.1 cubic-foot Mega Power Frunk, offering generous storage with an underfloor bin suitable for cooler purposes. The Lightning also doubled as a backup generator, capable of powering a household for up to three days during outages, and included a useful 9.6-kilowatt onboard power supply with multiple outlets. Its towing capacity reached 10,000 pounds, and payload capacity stood at 2,000 pounds, albeit with a notable impact on driving range. Onboard scales provided real-time weight tracking and range adjustments based on the payload.

In comparison, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss presented comfortable accommodations for up to four adults, with the rear seat capable of fitting taller passengers due to padded seatbacks. The Trail Boss incorporated essential conveniences into its modest interior, with an 8-way power driver’s seat and satisfactory air conditioning performance. While the Colorado’s soft-touch surfaces were minimal, storage space proved adequate with multiple trays, a large glove compartment, and cupholders. The StowFlex storage panel added functional capacity to the 41.9 cubic-foot cargo bed, enhanced further by features like the EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate and Mid-Position tailgate for longer items. Although more utilitarian, the cargo bed showcased innovation within its rugged design.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning impressed with extensive technology, featuring a minimum of 12-inch touchscreens running Sync 4 across trims and a 15-inch portrait-oriented screen on Lariat and Platinum trims. While the larger screen was visually appealing, its user interface could have been more intuitive. SiriusXM satellite radio, an 8-speaker B&O stereo in the Lariat trim (upgraded to 15 speakers in Platinum), wireless charging, and smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto underscored the advanced tech offerings. The Lightning’s infotainment system also included engaging games, particularly useful during EV charging sessions.

Similarly, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado came standard with an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Google Built-in technology, a feature consistent across all trims. Digital instrumentation varied, with an 8-inch screen in base models and an 11-inch screen in the ZR2. The integration of Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play provided seamless voice recognition and app access, complemented by wireless charging and connectivity options like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Trail Boss’s six-speaker stereo was decent, while the ZR2 boasted a seven-speaker Bose system, enhancing the infotainment experience. Trailer-towing technologies and real-time off-roading data added functional depth to the Colorado’s tech suite.

Safety features in the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning included the standard Co-Pilot 360 suite, which encompassed automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. Additional options like a 360-degree surround-view camera, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, and Trailer Reverse Guidance increased situational awareness. Higher trims incorporated advanced systems such as adaptive cruise control, intersection assist, and BlueCruise hands-free driving, ensuring rigorous driver monitoring and safe operation on designated roads.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado also packed robust safety features, highlighted by Chevy Safety Assist with forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Optional ADAS expanded the safety net with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with active steering assist, rear cross-traffic and pedestrian alert, and rear parking sensors. Despite an effective Teen Driver system and Buckle to Drive functionality, the forward-collision warning system’s tendency for false alerts detracted from overall reliability and satisfaction.