March 18, 2014

2014 Chevrolet Colorado 2.8 LTZ vs 2014 Ford Ranger 3.2 Wildtrak

Photos by Ulysses Ang
Pick-ups—they don’t normally score high when being considered as daily drivers. With the exception of those who actually need the bed (construction or mining people to name a few), they’re not exactly the most ideal vehicles to ferry the kids to school, date the wife, and the dog to his vet appointment. Or are they? Times are changing and pick-ups are just about as refined, sophisticated, and luxurious as some executive sedans. The Ford Ranger, especially in its 3.2 Wildtrak guise is long considered to be tops in this segment. However, Chevrolet seems to have the answer with the 2014 Colorado 2.8 LTZ. Though the changes are headlined by a revamped powertrain, it does get more toys to go head-to-head against the Ranger. The question is: can it win?



 Exterior

If this entire contest were based purely on looks, nothing much has changed with the Chevrolet Colorado. Still, why fix if it isn’t broken? The Colorado proudly wears the “bowtie” badge front and center of the dual-port grille. It remains striking thanks to the large, scallop-shaped projector headlamps, the chrome rimmed fog lamps, and wide wheel arches filled in with 255/65R17 tires. The large “Z71 4x4” sticker on the bed connotes its position as a high-stance model, a fact hammered down by the functional (and important) side step boards. The Colorado also uses LED brake lamps at the back for a definitive and unique touch.  For 2014, the Colorado spells out “DURAMAX” on the front doors while black door moldings help reduce the changes of door dings—after all, you don’t know what the urban jungle might throw at you, right?

While the Chevrolet Colorado looks macho, the Ford Ranger is simply the next-generation of pick-up truck design. It’s more boxy and angular than the curvy Colorado and comes across as a gym junkie beefcake. And unlike the Colorado which goes luxurious and preppy, the Ranger goes sporty with dark trim elements on the grille, bumpers, door handles, and side mirrors. Even the headlamps (non-projectors) and tail lamps (non-LEDs) feature smoked elements complimenting the 18-inch alloy wheels with slightly wider 265/60R18 tires. In as much as the Colorado looks like Gerald Butler, the Ranger is Vin Diesel. The Ford is simply one badass pick-up truck.

Winner: Ford Ranger Wildtrak




Interior Space

Moving inside, both pick-ups have the same meticulous care and thought to its design as possible. The Colorado offers a very elegant beige-and-black color scheme with complimenting dark metallic inserts that give an upscale feel. There are some nice cues like the deep dual bin instrument cluster. It’s more form over function though as the microscopic numerals are barely legible. Thankfully, the large driver multi-information display shows a wealth of information including a digital speedometer. Leather seating is standard on the Colorado while the “dual cockpit” design frees up valuable interior room for the front passengers. Those at the back are treated to equally generous quarters with adjustable headrests. And get this, the Colorado now features a 60/40 split-folding seat cushion that folds up to store tall items. There are even two bins beneath there to store stuff like tools, guns (?), and other loose knick-knacks.

Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger goes the opposite direction and heads for the land of sportiness. The all-black cabin, carbon fiber inserts, and Casio G-Shock inspired detailing on the instruments get two thumbs up in both design and functionality. The standard leather-and-fabric combination seats are finished with contrasting stitching and spell the words, “Wildtrak” on the headrests—a very unique and well-though of design cue. Seat space and comfort on the Ranger is good whether you’re at the front or back, though the Colorado does have the edge with its wider seat cushion. Also, the Ranger doesn’t have that unique 60/40 split-folding rear bench (there are also storage bins there though). The Ranger could have scored a win in this category if not for some simple flaw: some controls in the Ranger feel less than luxurious in their execution such as those in the climate control. Back-to-back with the Colorado, the Chevrolet has sturdier and more consistent feeling switchgear. In terms of space, they’re comparable, but the Ranger offers three individual headrests at the back, but the Colorado has better seat cushions.

Winner: TIE




Performance and Fuel Economy

Before 2014, the Ford Ranger would have run circles around the Chevrolet Colorado in terms of performance and fuel economy. Despite being fitted with the 2.8-liter Duramax, the Colorado’s refinement was sorely lacking. This year though, Chevrolet engineers have more than made up with a buttery, fuss-free engine. It’s actually called “Duramax 2” in other countries and the changes include: a high-pressure commonrail, a water-cooled variable-geometry turbocharger, an electrical EGR valve, and a new composite intake manifold. All in all, it’s just as refined and quiet as the Ranger’s motor. The 6-speed automatic is also very linear and smooth, though sixth gear is rarely engaged. That said, the Colorado’s power delivery is less than linear. Low down in rpm, the Colorado feels ordinary and requires a good mash of the throttle to liven things up. You can sense that Chevrolet’s relying on a bigger boost to get the Ranger-beating horsepower and torque figures. An added bonus for the Colorado is improved fuel economy figures which now stand at 8.69 km/L in city traffic.

On the road, the Colorado has a supple and surprisingly refined ride. Though there weren’t any chances to take either pick-up off road, on pavement, the Colorado feels planted and secure; even more so than the Ranger. In terms of straight line stability, the Colorado has the slight edge, but gives up a bit of maneuverability (the Colorado’s steering feels slow). Where the Chevrolet really shines is in its ability to absorb small undulating ruts like Cat’s Eyes. The Ranger actually tends to hop through these obstacles creating a less-than comfortable feeling, especially for the rear occupants.

With a larger 3.2 liters of displacement to play with, the Ford Ranger now loses both the horsepower and torque game to the Chevrolet. However, its power delivery is much better. It feels very linear with an abundant amount of torque from as low as 1,500 rpm. There’s little need to mash the gas to get a similar jolt of forward momentum, translating to a much smoother experience behind the wheel. The 6-speed automatic though has this tendency to jerk through gearshifts (especially between second and third gear). However, because the Ranger is working with a larger displacement and one more cylinder, it loses out to the Colorado in terms of fuel economy, doing just 7.57 km/L in the city.

And despite the Ranger Wildtrak’s designation as a “lifestyle-oriented” pick-up, the ride just isn’t as smooth on pavement as the Colorado’s. Clearly, Ford is balancing on both comfort and capability so the Ranger does have the tendency to hop through smaller obstacles and jolt passengers, especially the rear, in the process. Surprisingly, both the Ranger Wildtrak and the Colorado LTZ are rated similarly for both towing and payload: 3,500 kilograms and 1,000 kilograms respectively. But while the Ranger gives up a bit in terms of ride comfort, it has the clear advantage when it comes to noise, vibration, and harshness isolation. There’s noticeably less wind and tire noise than the Colorado. The Ranger’s steering is much better calibrated too and responsive, making it more maneuverable in traffic and parking. The brakes also have a pedal feel.

Winner: TIE




Value for Money

As the toppers in their respective model ranges, the Ranger 3.2 Wildtrak and the Colorado 2.8 LTZ are separated by just P 20,000 (P 20,112 to be exact) with the Ford being the pricier one. Yet, both models carry almost the same amount of bells and whistles: leather seats (with power adjustment for the driver), automatic climate control, automatic dimming rear view mirror, rear parking sensors with a reverse camera, a full-fledged infotainment system, and even a standard bed liner.

However, the Colorado and the Ranger have diverged a bit, offering some unique equipment not found in each other’s list of standard features. For instance, the Colorado has the touch screen MyLink audio-visual entertainment system while the Ranger has a voice-activated (but no video) system. The Ranger has a dual-zone climate control while the Colorado has a single-zone one (but the Chevy’s air conditioning is much chillier). The Ranger also has the advantage of automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, and front and rear fog lamps. But what gives the Ranger that convincing knock-out punch is the inclusion of Electronic Stability Program or ESP. Single-handedly, this very important safety system helps you out of hairy situations both off- and on-road. If there’s a single reason why you should consider the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, it’s this one.

Winner: Ford Ranger Wildtrak




Verdict

It’s clear that both the Chevrolet Colorado 2.8 LTZ and the Ford Ranger 3.2 Wildtrak offer next-generation levels of comfort and refinement in a genre once known for being simple workhorses. Though they’re both handsome with excellent performance, comfortable, refined, and user-friendly, the Ford Ranger still comes out on top, but just barely. It wins because of its chiseled good looks, but more importantly, better equipment levels (especially where it counts: safety). Still, the 2014 Chevrolet Colorado 2.8 LTZ puts up a good fight with its mighty Duramax engine getting that much needed upgrade, it bridges the gap oh-so-tightly with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak in terms of performance and refinement.

Winner: Ford Ranger Wildtrak




2014 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2014 Ford Ranger Wildtrak
Ownership Colorado 2.8 LTZ Ranger 3.2 Wildtrak
Year Introduced 2013
Vehicle Classification Pick-Up
The Basics
Body Type 4-Door Pick-Up
Seating 5 5
Engine / Drive F/4WD, high, low F/4WD, high, low
Under the Hood
Displacement (liters) 2.8 3.2
Aspiration Turbocharged Turbocharged
Layout / # of Cylinders I4 I5
BHP @ rpm 200 @ 3,600 200 @ 3,000
Nm @ rpm 500 @ 2,000 470 @ 1,500-2,750
Fuel / Min. Octane Diesel Diesel
Transmission 6 AT 6 AT
Cruise Control No Yes
Dimensions and Weights
Length (mm) 5,347 5,351
Width (mm) 1,882 2,163
Height (mm) 1,790 1,848
Wheelbase (mm) 3,096 3,220
Curb Weight (kg) N/A N/A
Suspension and Tires
Front Suspension Independent,
Double Wishbone
Independent,
Double Wishbone
Rear Suspension Beam Axle,
Leaf Springs
Beam Axle,
Leaf Springs
Front Brakes Vented Disc Vented Disc
Rear Brakes Drum Drum
Tires 255/65R17 265/60R18
Wheels Alloy Alloy
Safety Features
Airbags 2 2
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) Yes Yes
Traction / Stability Control No Yes
Parking Sensors Yes, Camera Yes, Camera
Exterior Features
Headlights Halogen Halogen
Fog Lamps Yes, Front Yes, Front, Rear
Auto Lights No Yes
Auto Wipers No Yes
Interior Features
Steering Wheel Adjustment Tilt Tilt
Steering Wheel Material Leather Leather
Seating Adjustment Electric (driver) Electric (driver)
Seating Surface Leather Leather
Folding Rear Seat Yes, 60/40 Yes, Bench
On-Board Computer Yes Yes
Convenience Features
Power Steering Yes Yes
Power Door Locks Yes Yes
Power Windows Yes Yes
Power Mirrors Yes, Fold Yes, Fold
Climate Control Yes Yes, Dual
Audio System Stereo
CD
MP3
USB
AVI
Bluetooth
Stereo
CD
MP3
USB
Bluetooth
No. of Speakers 6 6
Steering Wheel Controls Yes Yes

44 comments:

  1. I feel the Ranger always leading the way. Even the 2.2L 4 banger is capable to perform the task.

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  2. Malakas ang Konsumo sa Diesel ung Ranger

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  3. colorado with 3 yrs or 100,000kms warranty whichever comes first.

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    Replies
    1. Yes it does but the powertrain comes with an additional 2 years making it a 5-year / 100,000 kilometer warranty.

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Fuel consumption on the highway?

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    Replies
    1. I wasn't able to bring either pick-up on my usual highway route so no fuel consumption figures there.

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  6. sir ulysses,

    what is the reason why these high-end pick up trucks both have no navigation system? in my own opinion, a gps installed in a truck is a great help to the driver and its appreciable if its a original fit-in equipment.....tnx

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    Replies
    1. If you want factory-fitted navigation, try the Toyota Hilux. The range-topping 3.0 G now has them as standard equipment.

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    2. meron pong gps ang mitsubishi strada

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  7. Sir Uly, what can you say about the Colorado interior?
    Dull interior & far compared to Ranger, right?

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    Replies
    1. In terms of design, yes I have to agree that compared to the Ranger, the Colorado's dashboard is a bit more pedestrian. However, I'm amazed at the consistency of materials used. It actually feels more luxurious. The Ranger has both excellent and poor materials on the same dashboard.

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  8. In terms of service, Ford just sucks!

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    Replies
    1. in U.S. Ford means fix or repair daily that's why could not win GM. Car of the year 2014 is made by chevrolet, ford is far behind even in racing, in engine lifelong performance is very poor that's why they callled it ford, in the philippines don't be caught by sweetie words find in U.S. reviews.

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    2. I disagree, 2 years in a row engine of the year ecoboost is made by ford. same design, same engine, walang nakatalo in 2 years 2012 and 2013. imagine beating honda and toyota technology. It is so advanced at the time dual variable valve timing na, ngayon lang introduce ng toyota sa altis nila. hindi pa turbo.

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  9. How about long distant drive, i means cross country.
    witch one is reliable .

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  10. To those who wanted to own 2014 CHEVROLET COLORADO 4X2 M/T, COLORADO 4x4 A/T, Please visit our Dealership at; 

    CHEVROLET GREENHILLS -EDSA located at 500 EDSA GREENHILLS SAN JUAN CITY. (near SANTOLAN-ANAPOLIS MRT STATION AND CAMP CRAME).

    For Inquiries of need further assistance, you may reach me at the below mentioned numbers and emails.

    RODEL P. GARCIA
    SALES CONSULTANT
    Direct Line : +632 975-3839
    Globe: 09178078131
    Smart: 09088112468
    office email : rodel.garcia@chevrolet-greenhills.com.ph
    yahoo mail : rodelpgarcia@yahoo.com

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  11. Looks wise didn't even consider looking at the Colorado. IMO it's just plain ugly

    Bought the Wildtrak 3.2L and happy

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  12. The Colorado has way more interior space than the Ranger...though the materials are made of cheap plastic....

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  13. Have the 3.2 Wildtrak for almost 2 years now and i will not trade it for any thing ells.The handeling is more like a sports car and you have all the goodies you can wish for.Fuel consumption over 65000 Km is 12.5 Km/pl.Not many out there that can do 1000 Km on one tank.Put a bit in the back and you will be supprised how good the ride become with no affect on the power or fuel consumpsion.The best i ever had.Had Toyota,Nissan,ChevDodge,Mazda and Izusu before and none of them can compare the Ranger Wildtrak 3.2 auto

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    Replies
    1. parang hindi yata totoo ito, kasi yung 2.2 XLT ko sabi sa computer 13.9 /100km or about 7 km/li, but when i measured it in actual sa pag gas ko lumalabas 9km/li. dont tell me mas matipid yung 3.2 wildtrak, IMPOSSIBLE.

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    2. Sir nabasa q lng na mas matipid daw ung 3.2 kesa sa 2.2.. again nabasa q lng sa ibang sites na 2lad nito..

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    3. yes mas matipid ang 3.2 version kesa sa 2.2 version

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    4. matipid ang 3.2 sa rektahan.
      pero pag traffic condition is worst malakas po sya komunsumo...
      base sa ibang reviews..

      Delete
  14. Correction

    Ford Wildtrak 3.2L has 6 airbags

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  15. Does the Ford Ranger have a Select Shift? If no could you shift it manually or not?

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  16. guys it really is up to the choice or preference of the driver which he/she prefers. i is with chevy but it doesnt mean panget na ang ford wildtrak. if you take a closer look lang sa specs. some specs are present in colorado while its not present in wildtrak so basically it boils down to what i said earlier, "it's up to the choice or preference of the driver", so theres no need for lambasting or anything.

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  17. im surprised... ford.. fix or repair daily... :) anyway im planning to buy it soon 2.2XLT will do to serve its purpose. peace men. drive safely..

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  18. Had our first issue with our ranger 2.2L. The intercooler cracked and the casa had to replace it through warranty. I'm not exactly sure how that happened because the engine was well-maintained and wasn't abused at all. Still, its quite disappointing because it's been a year only and a major issue like this appeared.

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  19. Dont worry its part of production quality

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  20. Bsta ako satisfied nko sa bgo kong ford ranger wildtrak!!!! Supertipid sa gasolina!!!! I love ford!!!

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  21. Anu po un nka indicated s specs na my auto light and auto wipers na nka yes po s ford ranger? Na ang chevy colorado po ay wala?.. anu po use nun. Pa my na detect na my ulan kusa npo sya mag wawipe?

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    Replies
    1. Jon, this comparison is of 2014 models of the Ranger and Colorado. Ford and Chevrolet may have altered specs by then.

      Anyway, automatic wipers are rain-sensing wipers and turn on/off and adjust based on the amount of rain that hits a sensor on your windshield. It's the same with auto lights. If it detects that it's already too dark, it will turn on the headlights for you.

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  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  23. Tska anu po ba pinag kaiba ng ESP na yan.. na meron sa chevy colorado na ESC -Electronic Stability Control... is it the same lang ba?

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    Replies
    1. Yes it is the same. Take note, these are 2014 model year Colorado and Ranger. They've subsequently upgraded the specs during the latter half of 2014.

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  24. Ahm tumingin aq ng chevy colorado at my cruise control naman po sya with the camaro inspired gauges... paki rechecked naman po please :) tska yun ESP at ESC ng chevy ay parehas ln ba ng purpose? Electronic Stability Control????

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    Replies
    1. di mo to maintindihan? sabi nya>>>Take note, these are 2014 model year Colorado and Ranger. They've subsequently upgraded the specs during the latter half of 2014.

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  25. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  26. dont ge t me wrong im a ford guy. but, chevrolet spells "T. R. U. C. K" ever since it started production. 1 more thing is i fuckin hate ford service centers here in the PH include those ford wannabee clubs who thinks being a member is prestige bullshit!

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  27. Guys why they didn't bring the same US chevy colorado in Phils? I don't see much video (youtube) such as off-road and frame twisting

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