The 2021 Ford Ranger and the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado are two rivals within the midsize pickup market. While both make for decent picks, it’s the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado that has more going for it. Don’t just take our word for it, though.

The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado is available with a diesel engine

Standard under the hood of the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that’s capable of churning out 200-hp. While that does make the Colorado’s base engine just a tad bit slower than that of the 2021 Ford Ranger’s, the Colorado can be had with your pick of a 3.6-liter V6 engine or a 2.8-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel 4-cylinder engine. All in all, Car and Driver says, the Colorado offers a powertrain for just about everyone. Unfortunately for the Ford Ranger, it’s available with one engine and one engine only – a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 270-hp and 310 pound-feet of torque. 

It boasts best-in-class tow ratings too

With a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline 4-cylinder engine under its hood, the 2021 Ford Ranger is rated to tow up to 7,500 pounds. As for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado? Opt for its available 2.8-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel 4-cylinder engine, and you’ll be the proud owner of a pickup that’s rated to tow up to 7,700 pounds. And while those 200 pounds may not seem like that big of a difference to you, for other pickup shoppers, the difference between being able to tow 7,500 and 7,700 pounds is a big one. 

The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado offers more space for passengers too

It’s available with a diesel engine, and it can tow a pretty heavy load. What more could you ask for then? How about enough interior space for yourself and passengers to get comfortable in? Fortunately, the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado provides a ton of interior space. Not only does it offer plenty of headroom for front and rear passengers, but it also boasts more front and rear legroom than the 2021 Ford Ranger. 

How much do these pickups cost?

Final pricing for the 2021 Ford Ranger has yet to be released. That said, the 2021 model is expected to be a carryover, so you can expect its price tag to fall in line with that of the 2020 Ford Ranger, which gets its start at $24,410. The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, on the other hand, is accompanied by a base price of $25,200. Fortunately for the Colorado, it’s pretty easy to justify its higher price tag when considering that it offers plenty of things that the new Ford Ranger doesn’t. 

But which pickup is the right choice for you?

In the end, though, buying a new pickup is a personal choice. While the Chevrolet Colorado might come out on top when it comes to towing capacity and passenger space, those things might not be all that impressive to you. The best way to find out which pickup is the right choice for you then? We recommend getting behind the wheel for a test drive.