*All information in this article has been revised and updated for the latest 2021-2022 models.
In this comparison guide, we'll put the 2021 Ford F-150 next to the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado of the same model year. One thing becomes immediately apparent: the Ford F-150 is taller, wider, and, in some cabin configurations, much longer. Truth be told, the Ford F-150 and Chevy Colorado are in two different classes. The Ford is a full-size pickup, but the Chevy is a compact pickup. There are usually reasons to buy small over large, but perhaps not in this comparison. You be the judge.
FUEL ECONOMY: 2021 FORD F-150
We're giving this category to the F-150 when comparing base models of both competitors. The 2021 Ford F-150 gets 25 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway. Meanwhile, the 2022 Chevy Colorado’s base trim gets 19 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.
HAULING AND TOWING: 2021 FORD F-150
The Ford reputation probably precedes us here but in case there was any doubt. The Ford F-150 leads its class in both payload and towing capacity, hauling up to 1,745 pounds and tows up to 11,300 pounds, when properly configured. On the other hand, the Chevy Colorado hauls up to 1,270 pounds and tows up to 7,000 pounds. For its class, the Colorado does very well but pair the Chevy with the Ford, and it's not really a contest.
CARGO ROOM: 2021 FORD F-150
The other distinct advantage of buying bigger is the additional cargo room. There's not much difference in front-seat head- and legroom, but behind the front seat is another matter. The 2021 Ford F-150 comes in three different cab configurations: regular, SuperCab, and SuperCrew. The regular cab only has seating for three, with no back seat. The SuperCab and SuperCrew both seat six on two rows. What's the difference then? The SuperCab has rear doors that are smaller and open backward, while the SuperCrew is far easier to get into with standard doors that open the same way the front-row doors do. There's also three bed lengths for the Ford F-150: 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot, and 8-foot. With all these configurations, you're bound to find a Ford pickup that fits your life.
The 2022 Chevy Colorado seats fewer: 3, 4, or 5 passengers, depending on configuration. The Colorado also has fewer bed sizes, either a 6-foot-2-inch (Long Box) or a 5-foot-2-inch (Short Box). It's possible to get a bigger Colorado than an F-150 but it's impossible to get a Colorado bigger than the biggest F-150. The Ford pickup also has plenty of options to choose from and that customizability is another plus in its favor.