Is it a coincidence that General Motors timed the global announcement of the all-new Chevrolet Colorado between the Australian launches of the Ford Ranger and its Raptor flagship? Probably.
Unveiled in Detroit late last month, the third-generation ute to wear that name since 2004 is the first in half a century from GM that is unrelated to any Isuzu equivalents, such as the D-Max or preceding Faster of 1972.
Most of which also spawned several Holdens of course, from 1981’s Rodeo to the previous two Colorados from 2008 to 2020.
Completely redesigned from the ground up, there is no denying that the looming global grudge match between the 2023 Ranger and Colorado will likely also play out in Australia, whether the Chevrolet arrives via General Motors Special Vehicles (GMSV) program or by private importation.
With the unexpected success of the larger Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado full-sized trucks in Australia – which will meet their nemesis when Ford reintroduces the F-150 in Australia mid next year – there is a chance that GMSV might expand down into Ranger territory too.
Or, at least, against the up-spec versions, like Wildtrak and Raptor. That’s because, Jeep aside, all the American-made trucks are factory left-hand-drive only (for now), and are converted by a second party once they land on Australian soil, adding a significant premium to their already lofty pricing.
Still, when CarsGuide spoke to GMSV Australia and New Zealand director, Joanne Stogiannis, late last year in Melbourne (and months before Chevrolet unveiled the new Colorado in July), it was made clear that no GM vehicle is off the table in the future for Australia and New Zealand.
“We’re not really looking at the moment that low (sub Silverado),” she said. “But you never say never. We are always constantly assessing all the opportunities in the GM stable.”
The Colorado might even be more ‘ready’ for Australia than we could hope.
Intriguingly, at the Holden Acadia launch in October, 2018, Holden’s then managing director, Dave Buttner, hinted that a future Chevrolet Colorado could form the basis of the company’s Ranger rival.
“The facts are we can draw on a fantastic stable of SUVs and trucks (within GM),” he revealed. “I had a chance to go to the design studio (in Detroit), visit all the studios, see every clay model, see everything that’s under development for all of the brands.
“If you get in early enough at the platform development stage designed for both right-hand-drive and LHD, then really, the world’s your oyster in terms of what you can bring in,” he said at the time.
“So, you just have to make sure what you’re bringing in, you have to understand the market today, and if we’re planning three-to-four years out, then also what’s the market tomorrow. So, you have to make sure you’re bringing in the right product to meet the market at the right time.”
This suggests that the 2023 Colorado might already have been future-proofed for right-hand drive if Holden bought into the program in the early stages as a replacement for its then best-selling model.
So, with all of this in mind, how would the penultimate Colorado ZR1 stack up against its hugely successful Ranger Wildtrak equivalent in Australia?
Body
The new Ranger is essentially a heavily redesigned version of the first T6 launched back in 2011.
Yes, everything from the windscreen forward is new, with a hydro-formed front structure, wider tracks and longer wheelbase to help accommodate the optional V6s and coming electrified powertrains, while the sheetmetal and rear tub have also been restyled.
But the Ford’s roof and door and window apertures are carryover.
Meanwhile, everything pertaining to the Colorado’s design has not been seen before or carried over, resulting in a handsome and cohesive look with even beefier proportions than the Ford’s. Like the latter, front overhangs are shorter now as well.
There’s no denying the appeal of the Chevy’s shrunken-Silverado styling.
Interior
The Ranger’s interior is box-fresh. Dominating what Ford calls a “coast-to-coast” dashboard is a large, Tesla-style portrait touchscreen in either 10.1-inch or 12.0-inches, with the latter reserved for Wildtrak and Raptor.
Ford says it worked hard to improve functionality and convenience, with improved storage, aided by the adoption of a drive-by-wire gear lever and electronic park brake, liberating space.
Of course, the Colorado’s cabin is also new, featuring “… standard 11.3-inch-diagonal colour multimedia touchscreen… and segment-first standard 8.0-inch-diagonal fully digital colour instrument display, both of which are customisable”, as GM puts it.
Off-road displays to aid 4×4 progress are included in the Ford and Chevrolet, along with app-assisted technologies, to help with everyday functionality.
Tub
Note that GM has yet to reveal the 2023 Colorado’s full spec details or tub dimensions.
It does mention some added items compared to before, including eight standard fixed tie-downs, four stake pockets on the top of the bed with the ability to create tri-level storage, a tailgate that can be positioned midway between fully closed and open for longer items, bike tyre grooves in the front bed wall, a 110-volt power outlet and spray-on bedliner.
The latest Wildtrak, meanwhile, has already set a high bar with its box capping to protect the sheetmetal, load-bearing box tie down rails, under-rail load box illumination, a bedliner with a 12-volt socket, powered roller shutter and a lighter tailgate courtesy of an ‘easy lift assist’ system.
It will be hard to beat the Ranger overall in this regard.
Safety
On the safety front, both trucks adopt a high number of advanced driver-assist technologies, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-warning/keep systems, rear-cross traffic alerts, surround-view cameras and adaptive cruise control.
The Ranger also introduces nine airbags, including a front-seat centre item.
Dimensions
Size-wise, the Wildtrak’s length/width/height/wheelbase measure in at 5370/1918/1884/3270mm, versus the ZR1’s 5411/1903/1817/3337mm, so there’s not a lot in it: the Colorado is slightly longer overall and in wheelbase, but a tad narrower and shorter overall than the Ranger.
Thus, cabin space ought to be a close thing between the longtime foes.
The Wildtrak’s track width of about 1610mm compares to 1590mm for Z71.
Engine
Probably the biggest departure is under the bonnet, since for now, all Colorados are powered by a 2.7-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine offered in three output levels, with the Z71 boasting 231kW of power and 530Nm of torque, putting it in the middle.
Note that the outgoing US Colorado offered a 3.6-litre V6 petrol and VM Motori-supplied 2.8-litre four-pot turbo-diesel engines, both of which could be found in some variation in some Holdens from the mid-2000s.
Whether a diesel is eventually announced down the track is not yet known. North American buyers prefer petrol anyway. So, instead count on seeing hybrid and/or electrified versions in the not-too-distant future.
The Wildtrak, meanwhile, has a pair of turbo-diesel choices, in either base 154kW/500Nm 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo or 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre V6 single-turbo guises.
Interestingly, both the Ford and GM trucks use a variation of a similar torque-converter automatic transmission: Ranger has the 10-speed 10R80 while Colorado employs an eight-speed 8L80 unit.
Both utes offer various on- and off-road driving modes.
There’s no mention of manual gearboxes on the GM press site, while the Ranger, outside of Australia, is available with five-speed or six-speed manuals.
Chassis
Both trucks feature a ladder-frame chassis with a body on top.
The Ranger moves to a development of the Raptor/Everest’s three-piece frame, though all components are changed from before. The added width means a redesigned independent wishbone coil-sprung front suspension set-up, featuring new geometry, with the dampers also moving further outboard for better tuning range and a better ride.
The Colorado’s chassis is all-new. Details are still sparse but the front suspension is described as independent with coil-over shocks, while the rear is similar to the Ranger’s in having a solid axle with semi-elliptic multi-leaf springs. The Raptor upgrades to coils, by the way.
Both utes are fitted with electric rack and pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes.
In Australia, the Wildtrak offers 234mm of ground clearance, compared to ZR1’s 227mm.
Wheels are 18-inch items on both vehicles.
Weights
The ZR1 in US specification has a kerb weight of 2255kg; the Wildtrak in 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo guise is rated at 2341kg while the V6 grade comes in at 2399kg.
The Chevy’s Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM – the maximum total mass of a fully loaded motor vehicle as specified by the vehicle manufacturer) is 2835kg (Wildtrak Bi-Turbo/V6: 3280/3350kg); maximum payload is 720kg (Wildtrak Bi-Turbo/V6: 1009/1021kg); and maximum towing capacity is 3493kg (Wildtrak: 3500kg).
In this department, the Ranger appears to be ahead of its Colorado competitor.
Verdict
Appearances and current powertrains aside, the new Colorado and latest Ranger are quite similar in a number of ways. As has always been the case historically, one follows the other.
If GMSV or a private import company can sell the 2023 Chevrolet at a price within striking distance of the Wildtrak, then there would be a high chance of success on the basis of the early information we’ve been supplied.
More details on the Colorado will be revealed in North America when the model is launched in the near future. How relevant it is for Australians remains anyone’s guess.
Keyword: Ford versus GM, 2023 style! The all-new Chevrolet Colorado might end up in Australia, so here's how it lines up against the latest Ford Ranger ute