Used Ranger vs Used Colorado: Battle of the Light-Duty Pickups

So you’re looking to save a bit of cash on your next truck purchase. Why not go used? It isn’t hard to find a great used pickup. These trucks cost thousands of dollars less and have plenty of life left. But which used truck is right for you? Well, if you live in the city, or you just don’t need the sheer size of a half-ton pickup, why not go with something smaller? The recently resuscitated Ford Ranger is a fantastic option (although, to be honest, the Ranger never really went away. It was still sold in markets like Mexico and Australia). Or perhaps you’d like to go with the Chevy Colorado, which Ford brought the Ranger back to the US in order to compete with directly? Both used Ford trucks and used Chevy trucks have some rather reliable performance numbers, but which is right for you? Well, let’s take a deeper dive into those numbers to find out the winner of the used Ford Ranger vs used Chevy Colorado.

Kelley Blue Book Pricing

Okay, so we’re a bit limited with this one. The Ford Ranger was around throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s. However, the 2011 model year was its last until Ford brought it back to the States for the 2019 model year. So, technically, we could go back and look at some of those models. You’ll still see a number of the previous generation out and about. But the Chevy Colorado wasn’t built until the 2003 model year, and it even took 2013 off. So, yes, we could compare a handful of Rangers and Colorados from the middle 2000s, but those trucks are going to go for very little and really when it comes down to what kind of shape the vehicle is in when considering a 15 year or older model more than anything else. So we’ve decided to focus specifically on buying a used 2019 model for both Ford and Chevy. With the 2021 models right around the corner, this will mean more and more 2019s will be hitting the used truck market.

So, if you were to go in for a used pickup, it is going to depend on the exact trims and features available on the pickup. However, for the Ford Ranger SuperCrew XLT, you can expect to pay around $29,000. For the Chevy Colorado Extended Cab LT, you can expect to pay around $26,000. All of these numbers are based on Kelley Blue Book prices when buying from a dealer (and if the trucks had 18,475 miles on the odometer).

Engine Numbers and Fuel Economy

Engine numbers on light-duty pickups are always interesting. Manufacturers look for ways to put solid engines into the smaller builds but still have the desire to max out both fuel efficiency and performance. Many people turn to these smaller trucks because of the combination (although the larger trucks have gotten much better regarding fuel economy in recent years).

For the base Ford Rangers, the pickup is going to come with a 2.3L turbocharged I4 engine (this is the kind of engine that would be used in the price example above). This engine is able to produce 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque—some solid numbers for an entry engine on a light-duty pickup. And to top it off, the truck is also going to get around 21 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway.

As for the used 2019 Chevy Colorado, the truck comes with a 2.5L I4, which produces 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. This non-turbo engine will then produce 20 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway.

So, if you were to buy something with the base trim, the Ford Ranger comes with a significantly better engine. The performance numbers really can’t even be compared. The Ranger has 70 more horsepower and 119 more lb-ft of torque.

Ford uses the turbocharged I4 engine for all trims, so this is going to be the likely engine you end up with, regardless of the build. However, the Colorado does offer a V6 in the form of a 3.6L engine. How does this engine stack up? It produces 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque while the fuel economy is 16 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway. So, basically, you’ll need to upgrade to a top-tier trim on the Colorado to have an engine that is similar to that of the Ranger, all while paying more not only for the truck itself but more at the pump, because fuel economy declines.

Towing and Payload Numbers

Just because you have a smaller truck doesn’t mean you have to give up on towing. From smaller boats to some campers, the smaller truck can still haul a good deal. But which of the two can tip the largest scale?

First, it’s going to come down to some specifics. Only certain trims with upgraded towing packages will be able to hit the max numbers. So, you’ll either need to hope you find one with the towing packages installed or you may need to have this done yourself.

With all of that said, if the towing packages were on both the Ranger and the Colorado and you found the right trims, a used 2019 Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds. A used 2019 Chevy Colorado? up to 7,700 pounds. If you decide to get a 2019 Ranger, you will not notice the 200-pound difference in towing.

Now, if you found the base truck trims without towing packages, both trucks would start at 3,500 pounds, so each has a similar starting point.

But how about max payload? Maybe you don’t want to tow, but instead, you wan to toss gear into the truck bed. Well, with the Ford Ranger, you’re going to be able to hit a max payload capacity of 2,080 pounds. For the Colorado, the max payload hits at 1,574 pounds.

So if you want to do anything with your pickup regarding hauling or towing, the Ford Ranger comes out on top every time.

When You’re Shopping Used, Only One Truck Is The Answer

The Chevy Colorado is a fine truck. But it’s not the best truck. When you want a used pickup that delivers a better engine, better towing, and better payload numbers, you absolutely need to go with the used Ford Ranger. The Colorado simply can’t compete with it. Yes, the base package for the Ranger does cost slightly more, but it comes with a better engine right out of the gate. For a similar one, you’ll end up spending way more on the Colorado. So if you want to experience what makes the Ford Ranger the better of the two used truck options, you’ll want to visit Kings Ford. You’ll not only find a wide selection of used Ford trucks but plenty of 2018 and 2019 Certified Pre-Owned models, which gives you a number of added warranties and buying benefits. Whatever vehicle you end up deciding on, though, you’ll find it at Kings Ford here in Cincinnati, OH.