Chevrolet Colorado vs Ford Ranger: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Ford Ranger is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,900 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Ranger, 23 MPG combined), against $3,090 for the Chevrolet Colorado (Colorado, 21 MPG combined). That is $190 a year, or $950 over five years.
Both are classed as Standard pickups by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
- Gas
- Standard pickups
Chevrolet Colorado
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Colorado
$20.60 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
5 configurations in MY2026
- Gas
- Standard pickups
Ford Ranger
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Ranger
$19.33 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
4 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Chevrolet Colorado$3,090 a year · $20.60 per 100 mi
- Ford Ranger$2,900 a year · $19.33 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$190
Ford Ranger costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$950
$190 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Chevrolet Colorado | Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Colorado | Ranger |
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Combined rating | 21 MPG | 23 MPG (better) |
| City rating | 19 MPG | 21 MPG (better) |
| Highway rating | 24 MPG | 25 MPG (better) |
| Annual fuel cost | $3,090/yr | $2,900/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $20.60 | $19.33 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $3,090–$4,150 | $2,900–$3,880 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 5 | 4 |
| EPA class | Standard pickups | Standard pickups |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Chevrolet Colorado | Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 21 MPG · $3,090/yr Colorado | 23 MPG · $2,900/yr Ranger |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Chevrolet Colorado
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Ford Ranger
- Lower annual fuel cost: $2,900 vs $3,090
- Higher combined rating: 23 MPG vs 21 MPG
- Higher city rating: 21 MPG vs 19 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 25 MPG vs 24 MPG
Year by year
| Model year | Chevrolet Colorado | Ford Ranger | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 16–21 MPG | $3,090–$4,150 | 17–23 MPG | $2,900–$3,880 |
| 2025 | 16–20 MPG | $3,190–$4,150 | 17–23 MPG | $2,780–$3,880 |
| 2024 | 16–22 MPG | $3,040–$4,150 | 17–22 MPG | $2,950–$3,880 |
| 2023 | 16–22 MPG | $2,980–$3,980 | 19–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,440 |
| 2022 | 17–23 MPG | $3,030–$4,860 | 19–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,440 |
| 2021 | 17–23 MPG | $3,030–$4,860 | 18–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,570 |
| 2020 | 17–23 MPG | $2,990–$4,860 | 18–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,570 |
| 2019 | 15–23 MPG | $2,970–$4,860 | 18–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,570 |
| 2011 | 16–21 MPG | $3,120–$4,110 | 16–24 MPG | $2,770–$4,110 |
| 2010 | 16–21 MPG | $3,110–$4,080 | 15–24 MPG | $2,720–$4,360 |
| 2009 | 16–20 MPG | $3,270–$4,080 | 15–23 MPG | $2,840–$4,360 |
| 2008 | 15–20 MPG | $3,270–$4,360 | 15–23 MPG | $2,840–$4,360 |
| 2007 | 15–20 MPG | $3,270–$4,360 | 15–23 MPG | $2,840–$4,360 |
| 2006 | 17–21 MPG | $3,110–$3,840 | 15–23 MPG | $2,840–$4,360 |
| 2005 | 17–21 MPG | $3,110–$3,840 | 15–23 MPG | $2,840–$4,360 |
| 2004 | 17–21 MPG | $3,110–$3,840 | 15–23 MPG | $2,840–$4,360 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Chevrolet Colorado or the Ford Ranger?
The Ford Ranger is cheaper: about $2,900 a year against $3,090 for the Chevrolet Colorado, a difference of $190 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Ford Ranger save over five years?
About $950 ($190 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Chevrolet Colorado or the Ford Ranger?
The Ford Ranger is rated 23 MPG combined against 21 MPG for the Chevrolet Colorado. City: 19 MPG vs 21 MPG. Highway: 24 MPG vs 25 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Chevrolet Colorado and the Ford Ranger in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard pickups.
Explore these cars
- Chevrolet Colorado: ratings, trims and every model year
- Ford Ranger: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Chevrolet Colorado: all configurations
- 2026 Ford Ranger: all configurations
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