On the road, the newly redesigned 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is nothing short of impressive. It feels less like a truck than competitors, offering sure handling and barely-there body lean around curves. Unlike full-size trucks, the Colorado navigates tight turns with ease. On the highway, this pickup is as hushed as a luxury car.

The Ford F-150 isn’t far behind in this category, thanks to its light, agile road feel. Both acceleration and braking are among its strong points, boosting driver confidence. You can count on predictable performance around curves.

The 2015 Ford F-150’s main attraction is its powerful, fuel-efficient engine lineup. The entry-level 3.5-liter V6 creates 283 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. The 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine maximizes the F-150’s capabilities with 365 horses and 420 pound-feet of torque. With this engine, a properly equipped F-150 can tow incredible loads of up to 12,200 pounds. All four F-150 engine options come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission with a Tow-Haul mode to enhance performance when moving big trailers.

Of course, not every truck driver intends to tow and haul heavy loads. If you fall into this category, you may prefer the Colorado’s options. Its base 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine produces a generous 200 horses and 191 pound-feet of torque. This engine is rated to achieve up to 20 city/27 highway mpg. If off-roading is more your style, consider the available 3.6-liter V6 engine, which generates 305 horses and 269 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine helps the Colorado tow its max load of 7,000 pounds. As with the F-150, you can always select either two- or four-wheel drive.

With its impressive array of safety features, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is tough to beat. A standard rearview camera makes backing up simple. The available OnStar telematics system helps you solve unexpected problems with features like emergency crash notification and stolen vehicle assistance. High-tech safety items boost driver awareness, including forward collision and lane departure warning systems.

As with the Colorado, the Ford F-150 comes standard with equipment designed to maximize driver authority over road conditions, including antilock brakes and stability and traction control. The Sync system can be paired with a cell phone to automatically dial 9-1-1 after an accident. Shoppers can choose to add a single rearview or 360-degree multi-view camera to optimize rear visibility.

This category was almost too close to call, but the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado pulls ahead with its quiet comfort and sleek ergonomics. You will appreciate that gauges are easy to read and frequently used controls are within easy reach. Compared to rivals, the Colorado crew cab delivers extra legroom, so that both front- and rear-seat passengers can count on spacious seating. High-tech convenience features like the MyLink infotainment system and in-car Wi-Fi hotspot keep passengers connected on the go.

The Ford F-150 is as luxurious as shoppers prefer, offering everything from a bare-bones work truck to a luxury-car-like interior. The cabin materials are high quality, and drivers will appreciate details like the padded armrest. From the front seat, drivers get a commanding view of the road. In the extended and crew cab models, passengers can stow valuables out of sight in hidden storage locations.