The 2024 Ford Ranger’s Biggest Advantage Over the Chevy Colorado Is Found Off-Road
The rivalry between trucks from Chevrolet and Ford is nothing new, as the long-running debate between F-150 and Silverado owners over who has the better truck rages on. While the battle over midsize pickup trucks simmers a notch lower, Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado owners are just as passionate about which truck is better. The comparison is a close one in most categories, but did the Ford Ranger leave the Chevy Colorado behind with its recent redesign for the 2024 model year? Well, the new Ranger has at least one massive advantage over the Colorado, which is most noticeable when going off-road.
2024 Ford Ranger specs, features, and pricing
Ford offers four trim levels for the 2024 Ranger, starting with the base XL, XLT, Lariat, and the Ranger Raptor. All Ranger trims except the Ranger Raptor offer a choice of two-wheel or four-wheel drive and Ford’s 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine with automatic start/stop technology. The middle trims offer the 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine as an option, and the four-wheel-drive-only Ranger Raptor is the sole recipient of the 3.0-liter EcoBoost. All four trims feature a SuperCrew cab configuration, 59.6-inch truck bed length, and the same 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission.
The 2024 Ford Ranger XL, starting at $32,565, features Ford’s SYNC4 infotainment system with a 10-inch vertical display screen. The revamped interior now includes the formerly optional Appearance Package and premium cloth front bucket seats. Meanwhile, the exterior gets the STX Appearance Package with 17-inch silver painted aluminum wheels.
Adding four-wheel drive to the 2024 Ranger XL increases the price by $3,645. The only available add-on package is the $495 Trailer Tow Package, which adds a four-pin and seven-pin trailer wiring harness and a Class IV receiver hitch. However, Ford provides numerous options to personalize your Ranger, like running boards, bed liners, bed covers, and much more.
2024 Chevy Colorado specs, features, and pricing
Chevrolet offers the 2024 Colorado in five distinct trim levels: WT, LT, Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2. Only the WT and LT trims offer a choice between two-wheel and four-wheel drive, with the upper trim levels offering four-wheel drive exclusively.
While all trims use a turbocharged 2.7-liter engine, the power output varies. The WT and LT trims have 237 horsepower, compared to the Trail Boss and Z71 with the 310-hp Turbo Plus, and the ZR2 trims’ High Output version, also with 310 horsepower but more torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission handles the shifting duties for each engine, and all 2024 Chevy Colorados feature a Crew Cab configuration with a 61.7-inch truck bed.
With a starting MSRP of $30,695, the two-wheel drive 2024 Chevy Colorado WT, last refreshed for the 2023 model year, features an 11.3-inch color LCD with built-in Google and black cloth seats. Drivers can also choose the Evotex seat trim upgrade for an additional $1,250. The WT comes equipped with 17-inch steel wheels.
Seven package upgrades exist for the Colorado WT, including the following:
- WT Convenience Package ($415) – Adds manual sliding rear window, remote tailgate lock, cruise control, and rear window defogger.
- WT Convenience Package II ($545) – Adds eight-way power driver seat, power driver seat lumbar control, StowFlex tailgate, and keyed tailgate lock.
- Safety Package ($505) – Adds power-adjustable heated side mirrors, painted mirror caps, rear cross-traffic braking, blind zone steering assist, and rear park assist.
- Pro Essentials Package ($895) – Adds bedliner with integral storage, cargo bed LED lighting, and custom-molded splash guards.
- Advanced Trailering Package ($945) – Adds automatic rear locking differential, integrated trailer brake controller, 2-inch receiver hitch, four- and seven-pin wiring connectors, and in-vehicle trailering app.
- Technology Package ($950) – Adds keyed tailgate lock, HD surround vision, adaptive cruise control, and rear pedestrian alert.
- Skid Plate Package ($995) – Adds front and mid skid plates.
There is also a long list of options to customize your new 2024 Chevy Colorado WT from the factory.
The Ford Ranger has much more ground clearance than the Chevrolet Colorado
You’ll have to opt for the four-wheel drive 2024 Ford Ranger XL to take full advantage of the Ranger’s 9.3 inches of ground clearance compared to the Chevy Colorado’s 7.9 inches. With its extra 1.4 inches of height, the Ranger can glide over off-road obstacles that leave the Chevy Colorado stumped (pun intended). However, that’s not the only real-world advantage the Ranger enjoys.
What else does the Ranger do better than the Colorado?
The redesigned 2024 Ford Ranger XL also has more horsepower and torque, payload capacity, and interior room than the base Chevy Colorado. However, the Chevy Colorado WT has a lower price, more towing capacity, and a larger fuel tank.
Ultimately, choosing between these two midsize truck models comes down to brand loyalty or your intended purpose. However, if you’re going off-road in a base trim truck, the 2024 Ford Ranger is a shoo-in.
