Short answer: it depends on how many seats you fill every week. Bronco Sport or Maverick fits most families of three or four. The Explorer is the midsize three-row pick for carpools. The Expedition is the choice for big families, road trips and towing a camper.
Families and commuters across Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove and the rest of DuPage County shop for the same few things: room for car seats and gear, reasonable fuel costs on I-88 and Route 59, and something that handles an Illinois winter. Here is how the family-friendly Ford lineup compares, using 2026 specifications, so you can narrow it down before you visit Fair Oaks Ford.
| Model | Seating | Rows | Max cargo space | Max towing* | EPA MPG (combined)* | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Expedition | Up to 8 | 3 | 108.5 cu ft | Up to 9,600 lbs | Up to 19 | Large families, road trips, campers and boats |
| Ford Explorer | Up to 7 | 3 | 85.3 cu ft | Up to 5,000 lbs | Up to 24 | Carpools and growing families who want a midsize SUV |
| Ford Bronco Sport | 5 | 2 | 65.2 cu ft | 2,200–2,700 lbs | Up to 27 | Families of 3–4 who want standard 4x4 capability |
| Ford Maverick | 5 | 2 (pickup) | Open truck bed | 2,000–4,000 lbs | Up to 38 (hybrid) | Smaller families who haul bikes, gear and project supplies |
A Bronco Sport gives you five seats and up to 65.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. If you expect a third child or regular carpools, step up to the Explorer now instead of trading again in two years.
The Explorer seats up to seven across three rows. Available second-row captain's chairs create a walkway to the third row, which helps when car seats stay installed.
The Expedition seats up to eight and still leaves 21.6 cubic feet behind the third row. Need more luggage room with every seat full? Look at the Expedition Max.
The Maverick pairs a four-door cab for five with an open bed for bikes, coolers and garden supplies. A full hybrid powertrain is available for lower fuel costs on school and work runs.
If your week includes I-88 to the Loop or the tollway corridor, I-355 north or south, or a drive to a Metra station on the BNSF line, fuel economy matters as much as seating. Here is how the family lineup fits different commutes, using EPA estimates.
The Maverick Hybrid with front-wheel drive is EPA-rated at 42 mpg city, 35 highway and 38 combined. Hybrids do their best work in the start-stop traffic that fills DuPage County's main roads at rush hour.
The Explorer with the 2.3L EcoBoost is rated at 20 city, 29 highway and 24 combined with rear-wheel drive, or 20/27/23 with four-wheel drive. You get three rows without giving up much on the highway.
The Bronco Sport with the 1.5L EcoBoost is rated at 25 city, 30 highway and 27 combined, and every Bronco Sport comes with standard 4x4 for snowy mornings.
Here is an example for a 40-mile round trip, five days a week, about 10,000 miles a year, at an example price of $3.50 per gallon:
| Model (EPA combined MPG) | Gallons per year | Estimated fuel cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| Maverick Hybrid FWD (38) | About 263 | About $921 |
| Bronco Sport 1.5L (27) | About 370 | About $1,296 |
| Explorer 2.3L 4WD (23) | About 435 | About $1,522 |
| Expedition (19) | About 526 | About $1,842 |
Your cost will change with gas prices, weather, traffic and how you drive, but the gap between models stays about the same.
Fair Oaks Ford is at 2055 West Ogden Avenue in Naperville, a short drive from Wheaton, Lisle, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Warrenville and West Chicago. Fair Oaks Ford received J.D. Power 2026 Dealer of Excellence Program Recognition, and you can learn more about it on our J.D. Power award page. Want the model-by-model details? Read our 2026 Ford Explorer guide or visit our DuPage County Ford dealer page.
Ready to see them side by side? Call sales at (630) 793-4660 and bring the whole family.
Shop Explorer Shop Expedition Shop Bronco Sport Shop Maverick Value Your Trade Apply for Financing Contact UsThe 2026 Ford Expedition. It seats up to eight and offers up to 108.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded. The Expedition Max adds even more length for families who need extra cargo room behind the third row.
Yes. The 2026 Ford Explorer has three rows and seats up to seven, or six with available second-row captain's chairs. It is a good fit for families who need a third row for carpools but want a midsize footprint for DuPage County parking lots and garages.
For most families of four, the Bronco Sport or Maverick covers daily driving, and the Explorer makes sense if you regularly carry extra kids, grandparents or big sports gear. Bring your car seats to your test drive at Fair Oaks Ford to see how each fits.
The 2026 Expedition has the highest rating of the family Fords here, up to 9,600 pounds when properly equipped. The Explorer is rated up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Always check the specific configuration's rating before towing.
It can be. The Maverick is a compact pickup with four full-size doors and seating for five, and a full hybrid powertrain is available. It works well for smaller families who want an open bed for bikes, mulch and weekend projects.
For the lowest fuel cost, the 2026 Maverick Hybrid with front-wheel drive is EPA-rated at 42 mpg city and 38 mpg combined, which suits stop-and-go driving on Ogden Avenue and Route 59. Commuters who need three rows can look at the Explorer with the 2.3L EcoBoost, rated up to 29 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive.
Bring your own car seats to Fair Oaks Ford in Naperville and install them during your test drive. Check how easy the third row is to reach with seats installed, and whether a rear-facing seat affects front-seat legroom.
*Maximum towing and cargo figures are for 2026 models when properly equipped and vary by trim, engine, drivetrain and options. Towing ranges show standard and maximum available ratings. MPG figures are EPA estimates for 2026 models in their most efficient configuration; actual mileage will vary. Fuel cost examples use assumed mileage and an example fuel price, not a quote. Seating varies by configuration. Always confirm the rating for the specific vehicle before towing. Fair Oaks Ford, 2055 West Ogden Avenue, Naperville, IL 60540.
