Which midsize truck will take your North Louisiana lifestyle to the next level, the 2025 Ford Ranger or the Chevy Colorado? We’re here to help you build the pickup that has everything you want for work and play!
Key Takeaways
- While the Ranger offers more speed, the Colorado can tow the biggest boat!
- With its smooth ride and supportive seats, the Ranger makes the best road-trip truck.
- The Ranger is available with tech features you won’t find on the Colorado, like blind-spot warning with trailer coverage.
- Choose Colorado for the lowest starting price!
Strongest Performance: It Depends
Both midsize trucks are strong in their own ways! The performance you prefer will depend on your personal priorities. If you’re shopping for a high-speed off-roading truck, we can’t recommend the 2025 Ford Ranger enough — especially the Raptor trim model. It’s loaded with extra-rugged upgrades like Fox shocks and locking differentials. Better still, the Raptor comes with an exclusive engine that spits out enough power to leave every single Colorado trim model in the dust!
The Ranger is also a decent midsize workhorse. Properly equipped, this Ford pickup can tow up to 7,500 pounds.
Compared to the Colorado, the Ranger can haul heftier payloads — up to 1,805 pounds — making it the best choice for major tailgating events.
2025 Ford Ranger Powertrain Options
- Standard 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (270 hp, 310 lb-ft)
- Available for XLT, Lariat: 2.7L turbo V6 (315 hp, 400 lb-ft)
- Raptor-exclusive 3.0L turbo V6 (405 hp, 430 lb-ft)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive
The 2025 Chevy Colorado offers a few trail-ready trim models — the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 — that definitely qualify as Sportsman’s Paradise material. However, since the current Colorado isn’t available with an engine upgrade, these trucks can’t quite keep up with the Ranger Raptor.
On the other hand, Colorado is the right choice if you’re shopping for best-in-class towing capabilities. You can equip this midsize truck to tow a camper or boat trailer weighing up to 7,700 pounds! Max payloads reach 1,685.
2025 Chevy Colorado Powertrain Options
- 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (310 hp, 430 lb-ft)
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- WT, LT: standard rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive
- Trail Boss, Z71, ZR2: standard four-wheel drive
Cruising Comfort: 2025 Ford Ranger
Hop in the Ranger for the most comfortable ride! Whether you’re hauling your kayak to Black Bayou or taking a tour of North Louisiana’s muddy off-roads, the Ranger knows how to maintain its composure. The suspension is tuned to strike the perfect note between a sporty and smooth ride. The Ranger also gets high marks for interior comfort, with its spacious cabin, supportive seating, and quiet cabin.
Colorado also has a solid reputation for comfort, with plenty of passenger space and a quiet ride. Compared to the Ranger, though, it’s noticeably stiffer, cutting into your cruising bliss with the occasional bump in the road. And if we could have it our way, we’d stuff a little extra cushioning into the Colorado’s seat bottoms!
Modern Technology: 2025 Ford Ranger
Ever since it was redesigned for the 2024 model year, the Ranger has touted a best-in-class tech lineup! Unlike other midsize trucks, the Ranger is available with advanced safety aids like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage. With Active Park Assist, this truck can even do the parking for you. And since no one likes to hold up traffic with a jackknife, Ford’s exclusive Pro Trailer Backup Assist system can help you guide a trailer where it needs to go!
The Chevy Colorado might not offer some of the Ranger’s fancier tech features, but it gives the competition a run for its money when it comes to infotainment. Both trucks come standard with a digital gauge cluster, big central touchscreen, and wireless smartphone integration. The Colorado also helps keep you safe with blind-spot monitoring (though without the trailer coverage) and adaptive cruise control (minus the stop-and-go capabilities).
Lowest Price: 2025 Chevy Colorado
Looking for the best deal? Starting at $31,900*, the Chevy Colorado can save you a little money on a brand new midsize truck. However, the 2025 Ranger is competitively priced, with a $33,080* MSRP. Ford’s midsize truck even gives you a little more bang for your buck, with standard LED headlamps and a bigger touchscreen infotainment interface!
*Price as of 4/15/25.
So what’s the best midsize truck for Monroe, LA, Ranger or Colorado? If you’re like us, nothing but the 2025 Ford Ranger will do. Visit us at Banner Ford in Ouachita Parish to experience this Ford truck’s outsized power, cushy comfort, and best-in-class tech features!