2021 Chevy Colorado vs 2021 Ford Ranger – Mid-Size Pickup Truck Comparison

If you live in the Youngstown, OH, area and need a new midsize truck, you’ve probably heard of the Chevy Colorado and the Ford Ranger, two popular options in the midsize truck segment. However, with all the new features, powertrain options, and technology, comparing them presents a challenge. That’s why we’ve created this head-to-head guide detailing the best features of each truck. In this way, you can make an informed decision as to which truck works best for you.

Midsize Pickup Truck Comparison – Exterior

2021 Chevy Colorado – Midsize Pickup Truck

The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado comes in four trim levels with two cab configurations plus two box sizes. The Work Truck trim offers you the basics of truck convenience with a short or long-bed option and your choice of a crew cab or extended cab. It rolls on 17-inch Ultra Silver painted wheels wrapped in all-season Blackwall tires. In addition, you can customize the Work Truck by adding option packages, including a spray-on bed liner, LED cargo box lights, extra tie downs, rear assist steps, and more.

The LT trim upgrades to 17-inch Blade Silver Metallic cast-aluminum wheels, Chevy’s E-Z Lift and Lower tailgate, stylish body-color door handles, mirrors, and beltline molding. You also get access to additional features that come standard on the higher trims, like fog lamps and a remote locking tailgate. Colorado’s Z71 trim adds signature style with 17-inch Bright Machined aluminum wheels, convenient heated power outside mirrors, the remote locking tailgate, and a corner step rear bumper. A Midnight special edition features blackout treatment all around.

Chevy now offers the ZR2 Bison, a truck loaded with off-road features, including an off-road suspension, signature grille, rear recovery hooks, and front winch provisions. You also get 17-inch Graphite and Oxide Gold aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires.

2021 Ford Ranger – Midsize Pickup Truck

On the other hand, Ford offers the Ranger in only three trim levels, but you do have options for cab styles and bed sizes like Colorado. The base model XL offers a stripped-down truck with essential equipment. You can add options like power side mirrors, a locking tailgate, and chrome bumpers, but you don’t have as many options available as Colorado to help you customize the Ranger. Like Colorado LT, the Ranger XLT upgrades some exterior features like the power-locking tailgate and tow hooks. However, you do get access to multiple off-road and appearance packages.

Ranger’s Lariat trim comes with upgraded LED headlights, taillights, and fog lamps. Other off-road features include tow hooks and off-road hoop-style step bars, yet no provisions for a winch exist with the Ranger.

Midsize Pickup Trucks – Powertrain Options

Chevy uses a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams, direct injection, and variable valve timing technology as the base engine in the lower trims. This engine pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission that together gives you 200 horsepower, 191 pound-feet of torque, and 21 mpg combined.

You can opt for the 3.6-liter V-6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission on the Work Truck and LT trims. The V-6 powertrain comes standard on the Z71 and ZR2 models and produces an impressive 308 horsepower, 275 pound-feet of torque, and 17 mpg combined. When properly equipped, Colorado can tow up to 7,000 pounds. Chevy also offers a Duramax 2.8-liter inline four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with a six-speed automatic transmission as an option. This powertrain delivers 181 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque, and can tow up to 7,700 pounds.

Meanwhile, all Ford Ranger trims use a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain puts out 270 horsepower, 310 pound-feet of torque and gets 20 mpg combined. Unfortunately, Ford doesn’t provide another engine option on the Ranger.

Midsize Pickup Interior Comparison

2021 Chevy Colorado Interior Seating

Premium cloth upholstery comes standard in the lower trims, while the upper models feature heated, leather-appointed seats and a heated steering wheel. Cloth seats come standard on the XL with an option for premium cloth or vinyl seats. The XLT comes with premium cloth seats standard but no upgrade to leather. Ranger’s Lariat trim does have standard leather seats with heating.

Every Colorado interior comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen with an HD radio and Chevy’s Infotainment 3 Plus system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity allow you to sync your smartphones for hands-free calling. You can stream your favorite playlists, access your phone apps, get navigation information, and more using intuitive voice commands.

Chevy also offers their entire suite of driver-assist systems available as an option on every trim. These systems use cameras and radar to monitor your Colorado’s surroundings, alerting you when they detect a potential hazard. In some cases, these systems can intervene with emergency brake support and steering correction to help mitigate or avoid a possible accident.

2021 Ford Ranger Interior Backseat

On the other hand, each Ranger trim uses an 8-inch touchscreen with Ford’s Sync 3, a similar technology and connectivity package as Chevy’s Infotainment 3 Plus system. It also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability for hands-free operation and access to your favorite apps.

Ford’s driver-assist suite Ford CoPilot 360 has similar systems as Chevy’s suite, using the same technology to alert and intervene in certain situations. Ford CoPilot 360 comes standard on the XLT and Lariat trims, and you can add it as an option on the XL trim.

In Summary

Both pickups have features truck lovers will enjoy. For the more discriminating driver, you’ll have more options available on the Colorado, from powertrain to available trims and option packages. The Colorado works hard and plays harder. If you need a truck for light duty and occasional off-road excursions, the Ranger will do the job.

At Cochran Chevrolet, we know what Ohio truck lovers want in a midsize pickup truck. If you want the best midsize pickup truck to handle the workdays, Ohio winters, and your weekend off-road excursions, Colorado does it all with style. That’s why we stock an expansive inventory of Colorado trucks. We invite you to browse our inventory of pickup trucks online or come by for a more hands-on experience. One of our friendly, knowledgeable staff will show you all the features on the Colorado and let you take your favorite for a test drive.