When comparing the 2024 Chevy Colorado vs. Ford Ranger there are many similarities like cab, bed size and engine type, yet there are some key differences.

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Before I get into the differences, let’s first take a look at the similarities. Both modern pickup trucks come in a crew-cab-, short-bed-only configuration. Also, they both come with turbocharged engines and a variety of trims including halo off-road trims: Colorado ZR2 and Ranger Raptor.

2024 Ford Ranger is more expensive — to start

Let’s dig into the price first since it’s typically the top concern for buyers. The Ford Ranger looks to be more expensive, especially with starting prices, but looks are deceiving. While both work truck trims (WT vs. XL) have a $3k difference for the starting price, the ZR2 is nearly $10k less than the Ranger Raptor.

A customer may be thinking I’ll go with the cheaper one. However, the starting price isn’t the whole story.

For example, the Chevy Colorado doesn’t come standard with some options like cruise control. Instead, it forces you to add multiple packages to get it.

Pricing out a comparable consumer base grade like the Colorado LT ($37,680) vs. the Ford Ranger XLT ($35,610), the Ranger is actually $2,070 less. The XLT comes with adaptive cruise as part of a $1,560 technology package meanwhile the Colorado has to add multiple packages and $4,390 to the price.

Exterior differences

On the outside, both trucks share some similarities. For example, they both have a built-in step to access the bed. They both have the company logo front and center on the grille. They both have a stronger and more chiseled look. And finally, they both have stamped lettering on the tailgate.

The big difference is going to be for height with the off-road trims Trail Boss and ZR2 both coming with a factory lift.

None of the Ford Rangers come with a factory lift with, only the Ranger Raptor’s 33-inch tires, which add a moderate amount of additional ground clearance.

Inside the cabin

The interiors are both refreshed, thank goodness. When I’ve sat in each of these trucks, I’ve found the seating position to be pretty similar for the driver with everything easily within reach.

Interestingly, I didn’t even notice the Ford Ranger is actually smaller than the Chevy Colorado until I put together the spec chart below. The Ford Ranger is 2.7 inches shorter overall; however, the front leg room and the bed length are both shorter than the Colorado.

Chevy Colorado interior

Ford Ranger interior
The rear-seat legroom is about the same, but the hip room is more on the Ranger. Another oddity since the Ranger is more than 5 inches narrower than the Colorado.

Technology differences galore

One of the biggest differences for the trucks is going to be technology. The Ford Ranger comes with either a 10- or 12-inch vertical tablet-like display built into the center stack as well as digital gauges behind the wheel. This center display really stands out in the interior.

For the Chevy Colorado, it comes with a standard 11.3-inch horizontal display as well as digital gauges behind the wheel. Unlike the Ford Ranger, this display doesn’t dominate the center stack and blends in better.

Both trucks come with various drive modes, 360-degree cameras, safety technology and upgraded sound systems.

Other differences

A few other differences stand out to me when comparing the 2024 Chevy Colorado vs. Ford Ranger.

First, the shifter. For the Colorado, it uses a more upright console shifter that is positioned closer to the passenger than the driver. The Ford Ranger uses a much smaller and shorter console shifter that is positioned next to the driver.

Next, there’s the light switch — or rather the lack of it. The Colorado no longer has a physical light switch dial, rather it is built into the 11.3-inch horizontal display. The Ford Ranger has a dial. This matters a lot to some and not at all to others, who leave their lights in auto mode anyway.

Then there’s the engine lineup. The Colorado comes with basically two engine tunes on one engine while the Ford Ranger comes with three different engine options. Does this really matter? Some people like choices, and others don’t.

And then there’s the automatic locking rear differential on the Colorado versus the push button electronically locking rear differential on the Ranger. Big differences? Not for most, but some people like having the button to turn on or off the rear differential.

Also, the Colorado has a 4WD Auto setting for the truck to drive in 2WD then automatically engage 4WD when tires slip. The Ranger doesn’t come with this feature.

2024 Chevy Colorado vs. Ford Ranger key specs

The key specs for these trucks reveal even more interesting differences. For example, fuel tank size, off-road angles especially approach angle on Raptor vs. ZR2 and max payload have quite a bit of differences.