Ford Maverick or Bronco Sport: which compact fits Worcester-area drivers in Worcester, MA?
Choose the Ford Maverick if you want an open pickup bed, and the Ford Bronco Sport if you want an enclosed SUV that keeps your cargo under cover. Ira Ford Auburn, 12 minutes south of Worcester, sells both new, and the maker’s price, mpg, drivetrain and towing figures show which one fits a Worcester-area driver.
Worcester drivers usually ask three things: what the daily commute costs, how the vehicle handles winter, and whether it can haul mulch, bikes or a trailer on weekends. The two models answer those questions differently, and the figures below show where each one comes out ahead.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Auburn. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Pick the Maverick to haul, the Bronco Sport for Worcester winters
The Maverick fits a Worcester-area driver who hauls mulch, lumber or bikes in an open bed and wants the lower starting price and better fuel economy. The Bronco Sport fits a driver who wants enclosed cargo space and four-wheel drive for snow and unpaved trails.
Hauling settles the choice for many households. The Maverick’s bed holds up to 33.3 cubic feet, and the 2.0L EcoBoost AWD tows 4,000 pounds with the extra-cost 4K Tow Package. Winter points the other way. The Bronco Sport’s cargo sits inside the cabin, out of the weather, and its Big Bend and Heritage trims include four-wheel drive.
A daily commuter who wants the best mileage should look at the Maverick Hybrid. A driver with a dog, a stroller and a cold driveway will want the Bronco Sport’s enclosed cabin.
How much does a Ford Maverick cost compared with a Bronco Sport?
The Maverick XL lists at $28,145, below the Bronco Sport Big Bend at $31,845. Ford’s 2026 figures put the Maverick line from $28,145 for the XL up to $40,645 for the Tremor, and the Bronco Sport trims from $31,845 for the Big Bend up to $37,265 for the Badlands.
The rest of the Maverick line sits between those points. The XLT lists at $30,645, the Lobo at $35,930 and the Lariat at $38,090. On the Bronco Sport side, the Heritage lists at $33,395 and the Outer Banks at $35,145.
These are Ford’s own starting MSRP figures for each named trim. Compare trim to trim, because each one carries its own price.
How do Maverick and Bronco Sport fuel economy compare on a Worcester commute?
The Maverick’s hybrid powertrain gives it the better combined fuel economy of the two. Ford’s EPA figures put the hybrid Maverick at 38 mpg combined in front-wheel drive and 37 mpg in AWD. The highest combined figure for any Bronco Sport 4WD in the EPA records is 27 mpg.
Gasoline Maverick models are closer to the Bronco Sport. The Maverick FWD gas model posts 26 mpg combined and the AWD 25 mpg, while the Bronco Sport 2.0L 4WD posts 23 mpg and the Sasquatch 4WD 24 mpg.
Worcester County workers average a commute of 29.20355 minutes (FRED, St. Louis Fed, 2024).
Does the Bronco Sport have standard four-wheel drive for Worcester snow?
Ford’s trim contents for both list 4×4 with HOSS (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension) System 1.0, and the Big Bend also lists 4×4 with 5 G.O.A.T. Modes. The Sasquatch 4WD runs on gasoline.
Tires differ between the two. The Big Bend rides on 225/65R17 all-season tires, and the Heritage carries all-terrain tires in the same size.
Snow is the reason to ask. NOAA’s 1991 to 2020 normals put average annual snowfall at Worcester Regional Airport at 72.9 inches (NOAA, 1991 to 2020 normals). The Lobo and Tremor AWD run 4-Wheel Drive.
How much can a Ford Maverick or Bronco Sport haul and tow?
The Bronco Sport keeps cargo enclosed and dry inside the cabin. The 1.5L EcoBoost version offers 65.2 cubic feet behind row 1 and 32.5 behind row 2, while the Sasquatch and 2.0L models offer 60.6 and 29.4 cubic feet behind those rows.
The Maverick’s bed holds up to 33.3 cubic feet, and the Maverick tows more of the two. The 2.0L EcoBoost AWD and the 2.5L Hybrid AWD tow 4,000 pounds with the extra-cost 4K Tow Package, and the 2.0L EcoBoost AWD carries a 1,500-pound payload when properly equipped.
The Bronco Sport’s towing tops out at 2,200 pounds on the Big Bend, Heritage and Outer Banks with the available Class II Trailer Tow Package and the 1.5L EcoBoost. The Badlands tows 2,700 pounds, with the Class II package standard and the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. Front-wheel-drive Mavericks and the Lobo and Tremor AWD tow 2,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Maverick and Bronco Sport price, mpg, towing and seats by trim
The table puts starting MSRP and maximum towing for six trims in the same columns.
| Trim | Starting MSRP | Max towing (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Maverick Lobo AWD | $35,930 | 2,000 |
| Ford Maverick Tremor AWD | $40,645 | 2,000 |
| Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend | $31,845 | 2,200 |
| Ford Bronco Sport Heritage | $33,395 | 2,200 |
| Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks | $35,145 | 2,200 |
| Ford Bronco Sport Badlands | $37,265 | 2,700 |
Of the Bronco Sport trims in the table, the Big Bend lists lowest at $31,845, and the Badlands tows the most at 2,700 pounds. The Maverick’s 4,000-pound figure belongs to the 2.0L EcoBoost AWD and the 2.5L Hybrid AWD with the 4K Tow Package, so it sits outside these trim rows.
When is the Maverick or the Bronco Sport the wrong choice for a Worcester-area driver?
The Maverick is the wrong choice for a driver who needs cargo under cover, and the Bronco Sport is the wrong choice for a driver who tows more than 2,700 pounds. Those are the two limits that matter most.
A driver who hauls bikes, lumber or furniture in the open bed should choose the Maverick. A driver who tows a trailer heavier than 2,000 pounds should choose the Maverick AWD with the 4K Tow Package, since its 4,000-pound figure is the highest in these records.
A driver who needs to tow more than 2,000 pounds should avoid the front-wheel-drive Maverick. A driver who needs enclosed cargo space should avoid the open bed.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Ford Maverick and Bronco Sport both seat five?
Legroom is the figure that settles seating. The Bronco Sport gives 42.4 inches in row 1 and 36.9 inches in row 2. The Maverick gives 42.8 inches in front, with 36.9 inches in the rear of gas models and 35.9 inches in the hybrid.
What warranty comes with a new Maverick and a new Bronco Sport?
Ford’s published 2026 warranty figures are the same for both: 3 years or 36,000 miles basic, 5 years or 60,000 miles powertrain, and 5 years or unlimited miles corrosion. Both also carry 5 years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance.
Can I add a roof rack or bike mount to a Maverick or Bronco Sport at Ira Ford Auburn?
Yes. The parts center at Ira Ford Auburn can order accessories such as roof racks, bike mounts and cargo organizers. Ask for the accessory by name when you visit the Washington Street store.
Does Ira Ford Auburn sell both the Maverick and the Bronco Sport new?
Yes. Ira Ford Auburn lists both the Maverick and the Bronco Sport among the new Ford models it sells. The store is at 780 Washington Street, Auburn, MA 01501.
How Ira Ford Auburn helps Worcester drivers pick between the Maverick and Bronco Sport
The choice comes down to cargo, winter and towing. We sell both models new at 780 Washington Street in Auburn, about 12 minutes south of Worcester. Our Google record is 4.4 stars across 2,555 reviews, and 80 in 100 of them are five-star, the most reviews of any Ford dealer in the Worcester market.
In an August 2026 Google review, Linda B. wrote: “My salesman Steve was the ultimate best Very informative Very pleasant Made the transaction a breeze I love my new Ford Expedition Tremor”
In an August 2026 Google review, Jason M. wrote: “Great experience buying a Ford F150 thank you David/ Kyle for all your help from evaluating options to test drive to delivery.”
Our parts center can order roof racks, bike mounts and cargo organizers, and there is a secure online finance application for either model. Start with the model that matches your cargo: the Maverick for an open bed, the Bronco Sport for enclosed space.
Ira Ford Auburn puts both answers in one place: the Maverick for the open bed, the Bronco Sport for cargo under cover. Bring your cargo list and your Worcester commute to the Washington Street store in Auburn.
Ira Ford Auburn answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Auburn showroom, or call 774-321-1107.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Ira Ford Auburn for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
