Trade in or stay put?

[Melman]

My 2020 is having warranty service this week. The sunshade under the roof broke, the liftgate mechanism makes noise that it shouldn't, and the AC outlet on the back of the console won't hold a plug in. Combine that with past work on a leaky oil pan and more, and I've been thinking that I shouldn't keep it past the end of the warranty next spring. There are just too many expensive repairs lurking in this vehicle. It goes against my family history of driving vehicles till they don't run any more.

They initially gave me a 2026 Reserve Hybrid as a loaner, with the 99-way seats and other foolishness. They took it back in order to sell it. Now I have a 2026 2.0L gas Premiere WITH NO SUNROOF which I didn't know was even possible. It seems to be a base model - I haven't looked in detail but there's no foot-operated liftgate, for example. The sound system is basic. It has Blue Cruise. 1500 miles on it. I need to get the sticker to see exactly what it has. I put the VIN into a decoder site which claims it has a 2.7 but I'm quite sure it's a 2.0. Unless the 2.7 is much much smaller than it was in 2020.

Should I be entertaining thoughts of trading in my 2020 on the 2026 Premiere? I am trying to ignore the China factor for now.

 

[markfm]

Many dealers these days have the window stickers available on their sites, which list the VIN (since you know hat the VIN is on your loaner). Go to their site, select that you want to buy an in stock 2026 Premiere, and you'll likely find it pretty quickly. (You'll typically see a photo of it, so just look at the ones with the same color as you have).

The engine will be a turbo 2.0 liter. The hybrid variant has more torque/HP than the non-hybrid, though many people are happy with the non-hybrid (and those of us with the hybrids like them, a nice combination of power and MPG).

Premiere is the only tier with a no-sunroof version, and has smaller rims - either 19" or 20" vs. Reserve being 21" or 22" (the actual diameter of the wheels with tires mounted, is the same for all 4 rim sizes). The wife and I would both have been happy w/out sunroof, and with the smaller rim sizes, but found the seats in our Reserve II noticeably more comfortable.

 

[Melman]

Many dealers these days have the window stickers available on their sites, which list the VIN (since you know hat the VIN is on your loaner). Go to their site, select that you want to buy an in stock 2026 Premiere, and you'll likely find it pretty quickly. (You'll typically see a photo of it, so just look at the ones with the same color as you have).

The engine will be a turbo 2.0 liter. The hybrid variant has more torque/HP than the non-hybrid, though many people are happy with the non-hybrid (and those of us with the hybrids like them, a nice combination of power and MPG).

Premiere is the only tier with a no-sunroof version, and has smaller rims - either 19" or 20" vs. Reserve being 21" or 22" (the actual diameter of the wheels with tires mounted, is the same for all 4 rim sizes). The wife and I would both have been happy w/out sunroof, and with the smaller rim sizes, but found the seats in our Reserve II noticeably more comfortable.

The Premiere I have now has 255/55 R20, 2.0L gas as I said. I looked at the dealer stock online - they don't have any 2.7L's. Is it not offered any more?

I had a 2.0L Ecoboost in a 2014 Escape previously (I know it was at least two generations ago for that engine). It was plenty of power for the Escape, and it can probably move the Nautilus well enough for the way I drive. I notice if I put it in "Conserve" mode, it really struggles off the line.

This vehicle, and all the dealer stock I looked at, have black interior. Whoops. That is a non-starter in AZ, no black interior for me.

 

[Jacyte]

The Premiere I have now has 255/55 R20, 2.0L gas as I said. I looked at the dealer stock online - they don't have any 2.7L's. Is it not offered any more?

I had a 2.0L Ecoboost in a 2014 Escape previously (I know it was at least two generations ago for that engine). It was plenty of power for the Escape, and it can probably move the Nautilus well enough for the way I drive. I notice if I put it in "Conserve" mode, it really struggles off the line.

This vehicle, and all the dealer stock I looked at, have black interior. Whoops. That is a non-starter in AZ, no black interior for me.

the 2.7L is not available in the 24+ nautilus.
The hybrid is the higher performance option instead and makes 310hp up till 2026 where it now makes 285 due to a gas particulate filter.

 

[angore]

Recent trip with hybrid, conserve mode, premium gas, interstates speeds (65 to 74) most of the trip I-59, I-20. I-77. I-I 85. Loaded with cargo. I only need to make one gas stop due to 20 gal tank but I top off when gas is cheaper (Alabama and SC).

Mileage: 712.4 mi
MPG: 33.3
Time: 11:16
Electric Miles: 125.1

I noticed that when I have full tank of gas mpg runs a little lower and drops once you get near 74 to 75 mpg due to drag,

Beats our old 09 MKZ that got a lot less.

I am sure if one does the math the gas engine with regular may be overall cheaper due to bump for hybrid cost (in 24 it was just $1500) but I feel good.

 

[Jacyte]

Recent trip with hybrid, conserve mode, premium gas, interstates speeds (65 to 74) most of the trip I-59, I-20. I-77. I-I 85. Loaded with cargo. I only need to make one gas stop due to 20 gal tank but I top off when gas is cheaper (Alabama and SC).

Mileage: 712.4 mi
MPG: 33.3
Time: 11:16
Electric Miles: 125.1

I noticed that when I have full tank of gas mpg runs a little lower and drops once you get near 74 to 75 mpg due to drag/

Beats our old 09 MKZ that got a lot less.

I am sure if one does the math the gas engine with regular may be overall cheaper due to bump for hybrid cost (in 24 it was just $1500) but I feel good.

But then you would lose around 20hp. The hybrid makes peak HP at only 5500 rpm so its a lot more likely it will reduce boost or retard timing with regular vs premium. Engine RPM/load is somewhat independent of accelerator demand so even if you aren't romping on it you may notice a loss in power running lower octane. For me its easily worth the price for premium to get the most effortless feel from the car. If saving money was the goal I definitely would not have opted for a Lincoln over a Ford. I believe the cost difference between regular and premium calculated to around $400 per year with 12k miles per year driving. Most people spend more on coffee.