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Battle Of The Off-road Pickups: Ford Ranger Fx4 Vs. Chevy Colorado Zr2 – Which One Reigns Supreme?

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to...

What To Know

  • The Ford Ranger FX4 has a starting price of $32,995, while the Chevy Colorado ZR2 has a starting price of $41,300.
  • However, if you’re looking for a truck that’s more affordable and still has good off-road capabilities, the Ranger FX4 is a great option.

The Ford Ranger FX4 and Chevy Colorado ZR2 are two of the most popular midsize pickup trucks on the market. Both trucks have off-road capabilities, but which one is better? In this blog post, we’ll compare the Ford Ranger FX4 and Chevy Colorado ZR2 in terms of performance, features, and price. We’ll also provide our recommendation for which truck is the better choice for off-road enthusiasts.

Performance

The Ford Ranger FX4 and Chevy Colorado ZR2 are both powered by V6 engines. The Ranger’s engine produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, while the Colorado’s engine produces 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of performance, the Colorado ZR2 has a slight edge over the Ranger FX4. The Colorado’s engine is more powerful, and it has a higher towing capacity (7,700 lbs vs. 7,500 lbs). However, the Ranger FX4 has a better payload capacity (1,860 lbs vs. 1,578 lbs).

Both trucks come standard with four-wheel drive and a locking rear differential. The Ranger FX4 also has an optional Terrain Management System, which allows the driver to select different driving modes for different conditions.

Features

The Ford Ranger FX4 and Chevy Colorado ZR2 both come with a variety of features that are designed for off-road driving. These features include:

  • Skid plates: Both trucks have skid plates to protect the undercarriage from damage.
  • Off-road suspension: Both trucks have off-road suspension systems that are designed to handle rough terrain.
  • All-terrain tires: Both trucks come with all-terrain tires that are designed to provide traction in a variety of conditions.
  • Hill descent control: Both trucks have hill descent control, which helps the truck maintain a safe speed when descending steep hills.

In addition to these standard features, the Ranger FX4 and Colorado ZR2 also offer a variety of optional features, such as:

  • Front and rear locking differentials: These differentials allow the truck to send power to both wheels on an axle, which can improve traction in slippery conditions.
  • Off-road lights: These lights provide additional illumination when driving off-road at night.
  • Winch: A winch can be used to pull the truck out of mud, snow, or other difficult situations.

Price

The Ford Ranger FX4 has a starting price of $32,995, while the Chevy Colorado ZR2 has a starting price of $41,300.

Which Truck Is Better?

The Ford Ranger FX4 and Chevy Colorado ZR2 are both excellent off-road trucks. However, the Colorado ZR2 has a slight edge in terms of performance and features. If you’re looking for a truck that can handle the most challenging off-road conditions, the Colorado ZR2 is the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a truck that’s more affordable and still has good off-road capabilities, the Ranger FX4 is a great option.

Alternatives to the Ford Ranger FX4 and Chevy Colorado ZR2

If you’re considering the Ford Ranger FX4 or Chevy Colorado ZR2, you may also want to consider the following trucks:

  • Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro: The Tacoma TRD Pro is another popular midsize pickup truck with excellent off-road capabilities.
  • Jeep Gladiator Rubicon: The Gladiator Rubicon is a Jeep Wrangler-based pickup truck that offers impressive off-road performance.
  • Nissan Frontier PRO-4X: The Frontier PRO-4X is a value-priced midsize pickup truck with good off-road capabilities.

Takeaways: The Ultimate Off-Road Showdown

The Ford Ranger FX4 and Chevy Colorado ZR2 are two of the best off-road trucks on the market. Both trucks offer excellent performance, features, and capabilities. However, the Colorado ZR2 has a slight edge in terms of performance and features. If you’re looking for a truck that can handle the most challenging off-road conditions, the Colorado ZR2 is the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a truck that’s more affordable and still has good off-road capabilities, the Ranger FX4 is a great option.

Frequently Discussed Topics

Q: Which truck has a better engine?

A: The Chevy Colorado ZR2 has a more powerful engine than the Ford Ranger FX4. The Colorado’s engine produces 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, while the Ranger’s engine produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.

Q: Which truck has a higher towing capacity?

A: The Chevy Colorado ZR2 has a higher towing capacity than the Ford Ranger FX4. The Colorado can tow up to 7,700 lbs, while the Ranger can tow up to 7,500 lbs.

Q: Which truck has a better payload capacity?

A: The Ford Ranger FX4 has a better payload capacity than the Chevy Colorado ZR2. The Ranger can carry up to 1,860 lbs, while the Colorado can carry up to 1,578 lbs.

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Mike Sullivan

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to guides and industry news updates. When he's not writing about Ford, you can find Mike cheering on his favorite NFL team at the local pub on game days.
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