2019 Ford Ranger Vs. 2019 Chevrolet Colorado: A Classic Ford-Chevy Confrontation Renewed

For our last (for now, anyway) comparison involving the all-new 2019 Ford Ranger, let's look at the Chevrolet Colorado, the mid-size truck offered by Ford's long-standing enemy. Although not the top seller in the class (which is the Toyota Tacoma), the Colorado is well-established in the mid-size marketplace as a solid competitor. Redesigned for the 2015 model year, the Colorado is ahead of the new Ranger when it comes to engine offerings (3), wheelbase choices (2), and, possibly, feature combinations — including a pair of impressive dedicated off-road versions in the ZR2 and ZR2 Bison.

Related:

For now, let's focus on the more practical sides of these mid-size trucks, including measurements, fuel economy, and towing and hauling. Here's how they compare:

Measurements

RANGER (in inches; all models unless otherwise noted)

• Wheelbase: 126.8 (only one offered)
• Length: 210.8
• Width: 85.8 (from mirror to mirror)
• Height: 71.1 (SuperCrew 4×2 and SuperCab 4×4); 71.5 (SuperCrew 4×4); 70.7 (SuperCab 4×2)

COLORADO

• Wheelbase: 128.3 (extended and crew cab); 140.5 (crew cab with 6-foot-2-inch bed)
• Length: 212.7 (extended and crew cab); 224.9 (crew cab with 6-foot-2-inch bed)
• Width: 74.3
• Height: 70.4 or 70.3 (extended cab with two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive); 70.7 or 70.6 (crew cab, 5-foot-2-inch bed with 2WD or 4WD); 70.6 or 70.5 (crew cab, 6-foot-2-inch bed with 2WD or 4WD)

Fuel Economy

The Ranger's sole powertrain when it first goes on sale will be the turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Colorado, meanwhile, has more diversity among its available engines: a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gas engine, a 3.6-liter V-6 gas engine and a 2.8-liter inline four-cylinder turbo-diesel. The gas four-cylinder is available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission; the diesel gets the same six-speed automatic, while the V-6 gets an 8-speed automatic. V-6 and diesel Colorados will run 3.42:1 axle gears; the four-cylinder offers standard 4.10:1 gears.

As we recently covered, the from the Colorado, at least according to the EPA. The Colorado's available diesel engine is still the overall mpg leader among all available engines, however. All Rangers will offer 3.73:1 axle gears.

RANGER

• 21/26/23 mpg city/highway/combined (2WD)
• 20/24/22 mpg (4WD)

COLORADO

• 20/26/22 mpg (2WD four-cylinder gas engine)
• 19/24/21 mpg (4WD four-cylinder gas engine)
• 18/25/20 mpg (2WD V-6)
• 17/24/19 mpg (4WD V-6)
• 20/30/23 mpg (2WD diesel)
• 19/28/22 mpg (4WD diesel)
• 16/18/17 mpg (ZR2 V-6)
• 18/22/19 mpg (ZR2 diesel)

Towing and Payload

While we're still awaiting a full breakdown of the Ranger's various trim level towing and payload capabilities, we do have the maximum numbers for now.

RANGER

• Bed length: 61 inches (SuperCrew); 72.8 inches (SuperCab)
• Max payload: 1,560 pounds (SuperCrew 4×4); 1,650 (SuperCab 4×4); 1,770 (SuperCrew 4×2); 1,860 (SuperCab 4×2)
• Max towing capacity: 7,500 pounds

COLORADO

• Bed length: 62 inches or 74 inches
• Max payload: 1,100 pounds (ZR2); 1,366 (Z71 extended cab, 5-foot-2-inch bed with 2WD four-cylinder gas engine and Z71 crew cab, 6-foot-2-inch bed with 4WD diesel) to 1,574 (Work Truck extended cab, 5-foot-2-inch bed with 2WD V-6)
• Max towing: 3,500 pounds (2WD extended cab with either 5-foot-2-inch or 6-foot-2-inch bed and four-cylinder gas engine) to 7,000 (2WD and 4WD models with quipped with max tow package and V-6, excluding ZR2) or 7,700 (2WD models equipped with Max Tow Package and diesel engine)

More From PickupTrucks.com:

• More Chevrolet Colorado News
• More Ford Ranger News
• Find a 2019 Ford Ranger for Sale Near You
• Find a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado for Sale Near You

Cars.com graphic by Paul Dolan; photo by Angela Conner; manufacturer images