2025 Ford Ranger vs. 2025 Chevrolet Colorado Comparison

The 2025 Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado are midsize pickup trucks fresh from complete redesigns. Each has improved tech and safety features and added off-road adventuring and towing capability.

The Ranger and Colorado are available solely in a 5-seat crew cab configuration with a 5-foot cargo bed. The Colorado, Chevrolet’s smallest pickup, is priced and sized below the brand’s full-size Silverado. Meanwhile, the Ranger is the middle child of Ford’s truck lineup. It resides between the larger, pricier full-size F-150 and the smaller, less expensive unibody Maverick.

The base Ranger and Colorado are powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired with an automatic transmission and a choice of rear- or 4-wheel drive (4WD). While the 2025 Ford Ranger is available with two optional turbocharged V6s, the Colorado sticks with a single turbo 4-cylinder engine. 

So, how do these two versatile American pickups fare when pitted against each other? Let’s see how the Ranger and Colorado compare:

2025 Ford Ranger

The 2025 Ford Ranger sells in four trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, and Raptor. The base Ford Ranger XL comes standard with a 270-horsepower turbo 4-cylinder and niceties like smartphone connectivity, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, automatic emergency braking, and storage bins beneath the bottom cushions of the back row. A second engine option, a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, putting out 315 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, is available to 4×4 XLT and Lariat models.

Ford Ranger Highlights

Infotainment updates: Having a basic work truck doesn’t mean going without excellent standard features. The base Ford Ranger gets a user-friendly touchscreen, USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a digital instrument cluster. Tempting options include wireless device charging, a larger 12.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a B&O audio system.

Off-road-themed Raptor: The rugged Ranger Raptor is a 4-wheel-drive (4WD/4×4) off-road pickup equipped with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that produces 405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. Among many other features, the Ranger Raptor comes with a toughened-up suspension, all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates. It’s aimed directly at the ZR2, Chevrolet’s go-anywhere version of the Colorado.

Trailering and cargo hauling: The 2025 Ranger can tow 7,500 pounds when properly equipped. The payload capacity is 1,805 pounds with 4×2 rear-wheel drive (RWD) or about 1,700 pounds with 4×4. The damped tailgate, a standard feature, doesn’t clank down when opened. It also has a handy built-in ruler and bottle opener.   

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see Ranger models for sale near you.

2025 Chevrolet Colorado

The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado sells in five trims: WT, LT, Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2. An optional ZR2 Bison Edition package maximizes the ZR2’s off-road capabilities. The base Colorado WT includes a digital instrument cluster, an 11.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, two USB ports, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Chevrolet Colorado Highlights

Standard safety items: For too long, base pickup trucks suffered from a dearth of driver aids. That has changed. The 2025 Chevy Colorado comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and rear seat reminder.  

ZR2 and ZR2 Bison: Many pickup owners venture where rocks, mud, and sand are the primary driving surfaces. These obstacles are no problem whatsoever for the Colorado ZR2 and ZR2 Bison. These trucks have standard 4-wheel drive and go-anywhere upgrades, like front and rear locking differentials, steel underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a heavy-duty winch (ZR2 Bison).

Lots of tech: The Colorado also boasts a substantial lineup of onboard tech features. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are notable, but we’re more impressed with the Colorado’s infotainment system’s precise menus and quick response times. It’s one of our favorites among midsize pickups.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see Colorado models for sale near you.

Similarities

The Ranger and Colorado are sized and priced similarly and have identical warranty protection. They also gain similar EPA fuel economy. Moreover, each has a trim explicitly engineered for off-road driving, and the standard powerplant in the two trucks is a turbocharged 4-cylinder.

Specifications

Pricing

The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Ford Ranger SuperCrew vehicles and New 2025 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.

Conclusion

The Chevy Colorado has a lower starting price than the Ranger, plus more standard safety features and one of the best infotainment systems available in a pickup. We’re also impressed by the Colorado’s superior blend of ride and handling.

Battling back, the Ford Ranger counters with a more powerful base powertrain and the availability of a turbo V6 in higher trims. The Ford also has a higher maximum payload rating (1,805 pounds versus 1,684 for the Colorado), a more intuitive infotainment system, and handy touches like storage bins under the rear-seat cushions.

If a full-size truck is more than you need for your daily driving (and for many of us, it is), we’re confident that you can’t go wrong with either of these classic rivals.