The official reveal takes place next month.Remember last year when The Pokmon Company teamed up with Japanese vehicle manufacturer Toyota to create a real-life Miraidon motorbike?Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is as bullish as ever about his companys future, repeating his sentiments that DeepSeek wont impact sales, he said during the latest earnings call on Wednesday.Speculation that DeepSeeks R1 model required far fewer chips to train fueled a record drop in Nvidias stock price last month.But during the earnings call, Huang touted R1 as an excellent innovation, emphasizing that it and other reasoning models are great news for Nvidia since they need so much more compute.Reasoning models can consume 100 times more compute, and future reasoning models will consume much more compute, Huang said. DeepSeek R1 has ignited global enthusiasm. Its an excellent innovation, but even more importantly, it has open-sourced a world-class reasoning AI model. Nearly every AI developer is applying R1.Nvidias sales show no signs of slowing down. Nvidia reported another record-breaking quarter that saw its revenue reach $39.3 billion exceeding both its own projections and Wall Street estimates.And it said it expects revenue for the next quarter to be up again, to around $43 billion.Nvidias data center sales nearly doubled in 2024 to $115 billion and rose 16% from the previous quarter, per the tech giants earnings release.During the call, Huang touted Nvidias latest Blackwell chip as being custom-built for reasoning and said that current demand for it is extraordinary.We will grow strongly in 2025, Huang said.Indeed, despite last months panic over DeepSeek, the market for AI chips shows no signs of cooling off. Since then, Meta, Google, and Amazon have all unveiled massive AI infrastructure investments, collectively committing hundreds of billions for the coming years.

In BriefPosted:3:53 PM PST February 26, 2025Image Credits:Meta /Metas oversight board is reviewing the companys new hate speech policiesMetas Oversight Board, the companys independent group created to help with sensitive policy decisions, is preparing to weigh in on CEO Mark Zuckerbergs recent changes to how Facebook, Instagram, and Threads handle hate speech, Engadget reported.Zuckerberg announced an overhaul of its content moderation policies in January, shortly before the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, as part of an effort to allow more speech on its platforms. That effort included Meta rolling back hate speech rules that protected immigrants and LGBTQ users on its apps.Metas Oversight Board has four open cases concerning hateful speech, and the board plans to use those cases to examine the companys new policies, Engadget reported.Meta has a mixed track record for taking the Oversight Boards recommendations. Meta must follow the boards decisions on individual posts, per the companys own rules, but the group has limited sway on general policies.Topics

Indianapolis pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has acquired Organovos farnesoid X receptor (FXR) program.According to a recently filed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) document, Eli Lilly will make an upfront cash payment of $9 million, with an extra $1 million transferred after 15 months. Development, regulatory, and commercial landmarks could see Organovo receive an additional $50 million in milestone payments.Under the agreement, Eli Lilly has gained all commercial and intellectual property (IP) rights to the FXR program. This includes FXR314, the San Diego-based biotech firms lead agonist asset. The drug formulation recently concluded Phase II clinical trials in metabolic function-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) patients, successfully reducing liver fat content compared to placebo.FXR314 has also been designed to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a clinical focus on Ulcerative Colitis. Keith Murphy, Organovos Co-Founder and former CEO, called Eli Lillys acquisition a significant milestone for our efforts to advance medicines for IBD using insights from our proprietary 3D human tissue models.We are excited to deliver FXR314 and our FXR program to Lilly for Phase 2 and further Development, Murphy added. Their world-class development excellence and dedication to delivering for patients will provide an excellent pathway for FXR314 success, and we are pleased to have this opportunity to deliver for patients.Following the announcement, Organovos stock price saw a 243% uptick from $0.37 to $1.27 per share when the market closed on February 25.Organovos HQ. Photo via Organovo.Eli Lilly Acquires Organovos FXR AssetsFounded in 2007, Organovo specializes in the development of 3D printed human tissues. Largely leveraged in drug discovery and medical research applications, the California biotech firm also hopes to produce 3D printed organs for human implantation.Organovo introduced its first bioprinted kidney tissue in 2015, following the completion of its first cellular assay of liver tissue, exVive3D, the previous year. Its 3D printed kidney material survived in vitro for two weeks. Two years later, Organovo published an article showing it had successfully 3D printed kidney veins for drug testing. 2017 also saw it announce a partnership with the University of Virginia to advance regenerative medicine with 3D bioprinting.However, the firm was forced to explore strategic alternatives in 2019 when its approach for fabricating liver tissue was found to require significant redevelopment. As a result, the prioritized efforts to reduce expenses and preserve cash. Legal battles followed with CELLINK over alleged 3D bioprinter patent infringements.Since then, Organovos stock price has stagnated, falling from $19.39 in February 2021, to a low of just $0.34 before selling its FXR IP to Eli Lilly. This weeks 243% share price jump comes at a good time for the bioprinting specialist, which had faced the prospect of delisting. The firm had failed to maintain Nasdaqs minimum of $1 share requirement since June 2024.However, long-term financial security could be impacted by the loss ofFXR314, Organovos top agonist asset. The experimental drug is designed to activate the FXR protein, which plays a critical role in regulating bile acids, metabolism, and liver health.In November 2024, the firm presented Phase II trial data for FXR314 for MASH. The study, which spanned 214 patients, reported up to a 30% reduction in liver fat and a favorable safety profile. Despite this success, Organovos FXR acquisition announcement only references a focus on IBD treatment. A Phase II IBD tria for FXR314 is expected to begin in Q4 2025.Tissue engineer loads Organovos proprietary bioprinter to print human tissue. Photo via Organovo.3D printing asset salesand divestituresThe 3D printing industry has witnessed several asset divestitures over recent months, as companies work to restructure their strategic focus. In December 2024, US 3D printer manufacturer 3D Systems agreed to sell its Geomagic software portfolio to Hexagons Manufacturing Intelligence Division.Worth $123 million, the deal follows a strategic review that will see the Rock Hill-based additive manufacturing veteran prioritize software it deems essential to accelerating 3D printer adoption. These critical platforms include 3D Sprint, 3DXpert, and the Oqton Industrial Manufacturing Operating System. 3D Systems called Oqton integral to its future 3D printing software strategy.French 3D printer manufacturer and service provider Prodways Group ended the sale of its wax and resin jewelry 3D printers. This decision came amid the companys reallocation of resources toward the high-volume, industrial 3D printers with higher added value. The move came after the companys jewelry-making systems, Solidscape brand, performed poorly in 2023. According to Prodways, they experienced weak sales, poor turnover, and significant operating loss.Who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news.You can also follow us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content.Featured image shows Organovos HQ. Photo via Organovo.

Customer experience is now the key differentiator between thriving businesses and failing ones, yet ... [+] most companies are making critical mistakes.Adobe StockConsistently delivering advances in customer experience is a business strategy thats driven phenomenal growth in the digital age.Digital giants like Amazon, Netflix, and Uber have perfected this approach, gathering insights from countless touchpoints to continuously enhance every stage of their customers' journeys.And its working, too. Increasingly, we are reporting that end-to-end customer experience is a deciding factor in where we spend our money.There are lots of metrics used to define and quantify success in customer experience. But a very simple way of describing it is giving your customers the feeling that you just get them.Unfortunately, not every business gets them. In fact, 54% of US consumers think that customer experience at most companies needs improvement.There are tremendous opportunities at stake for those who get CX right, but it can be easy to slip up. So, lets look at some common pitfalls businesses are likely to stumble into in the coming year.Mistake 1: Not Understanding How To Use Customer Experience DataLack of data wont be an issue in CX today; every touchpoint and customer interaction can be captured. This includes point of sales data, web browsing behavior, customer service interactions, social engagement and a lot more.Many businesses use this data to optimize sales or marketing strategies or internal processes like inventory management and logistics. Using it specifically to meet customer experience goals is a more recent challenge, though. data rich, insight poor describes any business function that collects data but doesnt have a clear plan for putting data-driven insights into action. Its a situation many involved in delivering CX improvements are likely to be familiar with.Among the most common mistakes to make here are not having a defined data strategy or, perhaps even worse, improperly protecting sensitive customer data.Mistake 2: Misjudging AI And Automation OpportunitiesAI and automation transform CX when done effectively but can have significant downsides if mishandled. When shiny new technologies like LLM chatbots and virtual assistants actually help us to get things done and solve problems, theyre great. But when they cause frustration by not working, make customers feel detached, or even scare customers who dont fully understand them, its a problem.One tip here: Rather than just thinking about how AI can automate routine tasks like basic customer support, think about how it can enable entirely new strategies and business opportunities, like hyper-personalization and more engaging, immersive CX.Mistake 3: Squandering The Opportunities Of OmnichannelMeet customers where they are thats the mantra of omnichannel CX. Your customer base is more fractured than ever across a multitude of social networks, messaging platforms and everything apps. Retail is split between online and offline. Taking advantage of omnichannel is about bridging these divides in ways that break down barriers between your customers and business.So today, you have to be everywhere. But unless you take a holistic and coordinated approach to doing so, this can be a recipe for creating disjointed experiences. Think of having to repeat information you've already given when switching between chatbot and human agents super annoying.The key to delivering superior omnichannel CX is creating a smooth, unified experience. For example, after spotting an advert for a product on their social feed, they should be able to chat to a sales agent about it, arrange to inspect it at a local bricks n mortar store, and from there have it delivered safely to their home.Treating each stage of this journey as a siloed process without strategic insight into how they impact CX is another fatal mistake.Mistake 4: Taking A Reactive Rather Than Proactive Approach To CXRelying on fixing issues with customer service after they arise isnt a good idea. Its often cited that one bad experience is all it takes for a lifelong customer to stop using a brand altogether. This means that every CX strategy should be focused on anticipating opportunities to make improvements and eliminating CX pitfalls before problems emerge.AI and advanced analytics can help us understand when we are causing problems for customers rather than helping to solve them. Updates and improvements can be developed and shipped before anyone even knows theyre needed. We can monitor customer sentiment through social media to better understand what they really want, and we can use personalized outreach to let them know how our new solutions will fit their lives.Squandering these opportunities would be a huge mistake for any business that wants to continually drive CX improvements.Mistake 5: Not Empowering Everyone To Deliver Customer ExperienceThis is one that most of us have probably experienced a receptionist who can't offer a room upgrade because they aren't authorized to, or a retail assistant who cant offer a refund without permission from their manager. Customer experience cant be dictated from the top down; it has to be present at every customer interaction and delivered at every touchpoint.Frontline employees not being empowered to make decisions or resolve issues creates terrible CX. This means giving them the training, tools, and, above all, the trust to use their initiative and always be thinking experience-first.This might require a culture shift for many businesses. But getting it right will foster a sense of ownership and stakeholding as well as create instant CX wins.The CX Imperative: Turning Challenges Into Competitive AdvantageThe customer experience landscape continues to evolve rapidly, and businesses that avoid these five critical mistakes will position themselves for substantial growth. As weve seen with industry leaders, exceptional CX isn't just about avoiding problemsit's about creating memorable, frictionless interactions that build lasting customer relationships. By strategically leveraging data, thoughtfully implementing AI, embracing true omnichannel integration, taking a proactive approach, and empowering every team member, companies can transform their customer experience from a potential liability into their strongest competitive advantage. The question isn't whether your business can afford to invest in superior CXit's whether you can afford not to.

Treat cybercrime as a national security threat, Google warns.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesWhen the term national security threat is used in a cyber sense, thoughts maybe turn to the likes of suspected Chinese state-affiliated hackers attacking the U.S. Treasury, or perhaps Russian ransomware gangs claiming to have data that could destroy the FBI. But according to a report from the Google Threat Intelligence Group, financially motivated cybercrime attacks, including those without any ties to state actors or aspirations, can be just as harmful to national security. A single incident can be impactful enough on its own to have a severe consequence on the victim and disrupt citizens' access to critical goods and services, Google has warned, concluding that cybercrime must be treated as a national security priority that requires international cooperation.Google Warns Of Multifaceted National Security Threat From CybercrimeNational security practitioners pay more attention to state-affiliated hacking groups than they do to cybercrime activity, despite the latter making up the vast majority of malicious activity online, according to a Feb. 12 Google Threat Intelligence Group report. Nothing wrong with that, you might think, after all, theres a big difference between cybercrime and state-sponsored attacks that impact national security, right? Google isnt so sure that the two can be evaluated in isolation despite the severe risk posed by state-backed hacking.A hospital disrupted by a state-backed group using a wiper and a hospital disrupted by a financially motivated group using ransomware have the same impact on patient care, the Google Threat Intelligence Group analysts argued; Likewise, sensitive data stolen from an organization and posted on a data leak site can be exploited by an adversary in the same way data exfiltrated in an espionage operation can be.Im inclined to agree. Just looking at the attacks against healthcare providers, with millions of patient records stolen and even blood donor supplies disrupted, should be enough to convince most people that whatever the motivation the threat to national security is very real. Healthcare's share of posts on data leak sites has doubled over the past three years, Google warned, even as the number of data leak sites tracked by Google Threat Intelligence Group has increased by nearly 50% year over year.Google Says Cybercrime Facilitates State-Backed HackingThe Google report cited how Russia has used cybercriminal capabilities during the war in Ukraine, with the military intelligence-linked Sandworm unit, known as APT44, employing malware available from cybercrime communities to conduct espionage and disruptive operations. Iranian threat groups also deploy ransomware to raise funds and conduct espionage at the same time, while Chinese spy groups often supplement their income with cybercrime, Google said. North Korea uses state-backed groups to directly generate revenue for the regime, the report explained; North Korea has heavily targeted cryptocurrencies, compromising exchanges and individual victims crypto wallets. All of which serves to demonstrate that states are purchasing cyber capabilities through the use of cybercrime, and co-opting criminals to conduct state-directed operations to steal data.Only by recognizing the cybercrime threat as also being a national security one can the root causes be tackled. Cybercrime involves collaboration between disparate groups often across borders and without respect to sovereignty, Google said, so any solution must also use international cooperation by both law enforcement and intelligence agencies to track, arrest, and prosecute these criminals.

The shoreline in front of the heavily damaged Blue Beach resort in northwest Gaza, Feb. 13, 2025.Anas Zeyad FtehaAnadolu/Getty ImagesBy Associated PressFebruary 27, 2025 12:15 AM ESTA seemingly artificial-intelligence-generated video posted to President Donald Trumps Truth Social account late Tuesday shows images of what appears to be decimated Gaza streets and neighborhoods replaced with images of beach hotels, dancing women, and shops selling gold over a pulsating soundtrack.Trumps proposal to develop Gazas Mediterranean coast into a Riviera replete with luxury casinos and resorts has been heavily criticized in the Middle East.The song lyrics, in English, appear intended to appeal to Palestinians, many thousands of which would be displaced by the plan and are absolutely opposed to it.Donalds coming to set you free, the song says.The video depicts presidential adviser Elon Musk throwing money in the air and closes with a photoshopped image of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reclining poolside and sipping brightly colored drinks.More Must-Reads from TIMEInside Elon Musks War on WashingtonMeet the 2025 Women of the YearThe Harsh Truth About Disability InclusionWhy Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?Colman Domingo Leads With Radical LoveHow to Get Better at Doing Things AloneCecily Strong on Goober the ClownColumn: The Rise of Americas BroligarchyContact us at letters@time.com

Reviewers LikedJust as powerful as the iPhone 16Works with Apple Intelligence (if you care)Sharp OLED screenUSB-C portNew C1 chipAction buttonReviewers Didn't LikeScreen is not as bright as the iPhone 16Questionable valueNo mmWave 5G, Ultra Wideband, or Wi-Fi 7$599 price is premium for a 'budget' phoneNo ultrawideThe notch is back2x zoom is just a cropLacks MagSafeCompetitors and Related Products Our editors hand-pick related products using a variety of criteria: direct competitors targeting the same market segment, or devices that are similar in size, performance, or feature sets. Expert reviews and ratings 90 Forget the iPhone SE; the iPhone 16e represents a whole new class of affordable iPhone. It has an excellent screen, powerful performance, a cutting-edge CPU with Apple Intelligence, and even an all-new C1 modem chip. It's also a bit of a frustrating conundrum. Apple has raised the price to the point where it's almost out of budget range, but is hasn't add a second camera, and it's brought back the notch. Ultimately, this is another great iPhone but it may not be the best choice if you're looking for a 'budget' phone. By TechRadar on February 26, 2025 80 The iPhone 16e gracefully fulfills its role as the most affordable member of Apple's iPhone family without compromising the core experience. By PCMag on February 26, 2025 77 The iPhone 16e is the most affordable entry into Apple Intelligence and the rest of the companys ecosystem, and is a solid option for anyone who doesnt care very much about smartphone photography. By Engadget on February 26, 2025 80 You'll pay more for the cheapest model in Apple's lineup, but the iPhone 16e is a marked upgrade over the iPhone SE 2022. In fact, it has a lot in common with the standard iPhone 16, complete with a gorgeous OLED screen, A18 chip, Apple Intelligence features, and the new C1 modem. By Tom's Guide on February 26, 2025 70 The 16E feels like it should offer the essentials, but its hard to say whats an essential iPhone feature and whats not. Its probably more like a combination of features, and for some people, the 16E likely offers a combination theyll be happy with. By The Verge on February 26, 2025 70 This is why the iPhone lineup is a little confusing. Apple sells the standard iPhone 15 for $699, and it has many of those perks (plus more), but it doesn't have Apple Intelligence supportand you know that as the years go on, more features will be siloed into Apple Intelligence versus iOS. Your options might also be a little limited in the used market if you want the convenience of USB-C, since that only debuted on the iPhone 15 series. By Wired on February 26, 2025 85 $600 is a lot of money, at least for me, but I think the iPhone 16E is worth it. I do recommend looking into carrier deals, discounts and trade-ins to drop that price a bit, unless you're set on doing an installment plan over a couple of years. Even if Apple made a version of this phone that's closer to $500, it would have had to omit or compromise on more features. I wonder how the iPhone 16E's value will look in the fall when the iPhone 17 is released and there's all the deals and discounts for it. By cnet on February 26, 2025 80 The iPhone 16e may not be capable of capturing objects from far away or come in a spectrum of neat colors. Nor does it sync up with the vast offering of MagSafe accessories and devices. Otherwise, its everything you need to lock into the ecosystem and start buying other Apple accessories and subscribing to services. The iPhone 16e is the gateway drug. By Gizmodo on February 26, 2025 In the end, theres surprisingly little daylight between the iPhone 16 and 16e. It prioritizes Apple Intelligence through the inclusion of the A18 and 8GB of RAM. The handset makes sacrifices in the name of affordability, like MagSafe, Dynamic Island, Camera Control, and the dual-camera system. If you can live without all those, by all means, save yourself the $200. By TechCrunch on February 26, 2025 While I love and respect the innovation and boundaries being pushed by the premium iPhone 16 range, you cant help but respect just how much has been jammed into this iPhone 16e. By EFTM on February 26, 2025Load More Reviews

2025 Kia Sorento SX-Prestige PHEV review: comfortable and roomy, with an electric touchMSRP$53,090.00 Score DetailsFor families who want the flexibility of extra seats without going full EV, the Sorento PHEV strikes a solid balance between efficiency, practicality, and affordability.ProsRelatively spacious interiorDecent electric rangeVery comfortableSleek exterior designConsNo seven-seater optionTable of ContentsTable of ContentsDesignInterior and techRange and chargingDriving experienceHow DT would configure this carPlug-in hybrid electric vehicles bridge the gap between a traditional combustion engine vehicle and an electric vehicle, but theyre not all created equal. Thankfully, these days, there are quite a few PHEV options, whether you want something compact and sporty, or big enough to carry a large family. The Kia Sorento is certainly big enough to carry the family (it has three rows!), but its also smaller and sportier than the now-beloved Telluride, and in 2025, there are two PHEV trims including the new EX model, and the top-of-the-range SX-Prestige, which is what Ive been driving.Recommended VideosThere are other updates for the 2025 iteration of the Sorento PHEV too though. They get new styling to match the upgrades of the non-PHEV 2024 models, updated tech, and more.RelatedBut as a PHEV, the 2025 Kia Sorento SX-Prestige cant just be about design. Does it deliver on the plug-in hybrid promise?Kia has given the 2025 Sorento PHEV a fresh look that aligns with its non-PHEV counterparts from the 2024 model year. Thats a good thing. At the front, sharp, angular headlights flank a large center grille, adding to the vehicles aggressive styling. The rear is equally distinctive, with a split taillight design that enhances visibility while contributing to the Sorentos aesthetic.Christian de Looper / Digital TrendsThe angular design extends across the body, helping give it a sporty appeal, while the roofline smoothly transitions into a subtle spoiler at the top of the lift gate. The SX-Prestige trim we tested comes with premium upgrades like 19-inch alloy wheels and LED projector headlights, which help make the vehicle look even more premium.Even in its more affordable EX trim, the Sorento PHEV doesnt compromise on looks. It fits seamlessly into Kias lineup alongside models like the Telluride, delivering a design thats both stylish and sophisticated across the range. Kias attention to detail ensures that the Sorento feels well-balanced, with a visual identity that doesnt feel out of place among its larger and more luxurious siblings. The result is a midsize SUV that manages to feel premium and practical at the same time, offering a compelling option for those who want a hybrid without sacrificing style.Christian de Looper / Digital TrendsThe 2025 Sorento is larger than the Kia Sportage, but not quite as big as the Telluride. It measures 189.6 inches in length, 74.8 inches in width, and 66.7 inches in height.Step inside, and the Sorento SX-Prestige PHEV feels more like a high-end SUV than a mid-size hybrid. The stitched leather seats look and feel premium, and the front ones are both heated and ventilated, so youre comfortable no matter what the outside temperature is. The second-row seats are no afterthought either, with heating and built-in sunshades that make long road trips more pleasant. And, a large panoramic sunroof help make everything feel even more open.The Sorento PHEV is a three-row SUV, though the third row isnt as spacious as the second and as such it might be better used for kids or as bonus seats that are folded down until they need to be used.The second-row captains chairs are roomy and comfortable though, which helps. Cargo space is decent too when all the seats are up, you get 12.6 cubic feet, but fold down the third row, and that expands to 45 cubic feet. Thats plenty of space for day-to-day use.Christian de Looper / Digital TrendsAt the front, the 2025 Sorento offers dual 12.3-inch screens, with one touch display for infotainment, and a second for the digital gauge cluster. The infotainment software is fine, but not incredible, and the screen wasnt the most responsive. Thankfully the vehicle supports wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, so you dont really have to use the built-in software much, if you dont want to. Climate controls are outside of that display, though the capacitive touch control bar that youll use for climate controls isnt the most intuitive at first. Youll get used to it.Like other modern Kia vehicles, the Sorento has camera-based blind spot monitors that show a live feed on the instrument display when you signal. Other cameras include a 360-degree camera system, which gives you a birds-eye view of your surroundings. These are both pretty handy features.Digital TrendsOverall, the Sorento PHEV is comfortable and stylish.The third row might not be the most spacious, but its nice to have when you need it, and if you want even more room, Kias Telluride is still the go-to option.The biggest benefit of a plug-in hybrid is being able to drive on electric power alone, and the Sorento PHEV delivers though with some limitations. It offers an EPA-estimated 32 miles of all-electric range, which is decent but not groundbreaking. That should be enough for running errands or a short daily commute without using any gas, but if you have a longer drive, youll likely need to rely on the hybrid system. Like most PHEVs, the Sorento works best for drivers who have easy access to charging at home or work.Christian de Looper / Digital TrendsWhen it comes time to charge, the Sorento PHEV can recharge in about 3 to 4 hours with a Level 2 charger, which is fairly standard for plug-in hybrids. If youre using a basic household Level 1 outlet, it will take longer but expect a full charge overnight. Unlike some full EVs, the Sorento PHEV doesnt support DC fast charging, so dont expect to top up quickly at a public charging station. That said, you can still plug into a fast charger if needed, but the charging speed wont be any faster than a typical Level 2 setup. For some, it may even be worth having an electrician install a Level 2 charger at your home.Ultimately, the Sorento PHEVs range and charging capabilities are fine for most buyers, but they dont set any new benchmarks. If youre looking for a hybrid with more electric range, you might want to consider a dedicated EV or a PHEV with a larger battery, though the longer-range options are often more expensive. But if you can charge regularly and want a fuel-efficient SUV that can handle some all-electric driving, the Sorento PHEV is still a solid choice.The Sorento PHEV offers a solid driving experience, though its not particularly thrilling. The 261-horsepower powertrain and all-wheel drive provide enough power for daily driving, but this isnt a performance SUV by any stretch. Acceleration is fine quick enough for merging onto highways or passing slower traffic, but not something that will impress enthusiasts. Steering is relatively responsive, and while it wont offer the sharp handling of a sporty crossover, its comfortable and easy to maneuver.Christian de Looper / Digital TrendsKia includes multiple driving modes to help tailor the experience. Sport mode prioritizes performance by adjusting throttle response and shifting, while Eco mode tones things down to maximize fuel efficiency. Smart mode tries to balance both by adapting to your driving style. Theres also an EV/HEV button, which lets you switch between pure electric driving and hybrid mode, a key feature of any PHEV. If you want to take full advantage of the electric motor and save on gas, youll likely be pressing that EV button frequently.Overall, the Sorento PHEV is a smooth and composed ride, designed more for efficiency and comfort than excitement. It soaks up bumps well and stays quiet at highway speeds, making it a great option for long commutes or road trips. If youre looking for something more engaging to drive, there are sportier hybrids out there, but for those who prioritize a balance of practicality and efficiency, the Sorento gets the job done, and it does so in comfort.For those considering a plug-in hybrid SUV, the EX PHEV trim of the Sorento is likely the best value. It offers the same powertrain and range as the SX-Prestige PHEV but at a lower starting price of $47,990. The $53,090 SX-Prestige trim adds creature comforts like more premium seating, a surround-view camera, and blind spot view monitors, which are nice to have but not essential for those who simply want an efficient PHEV with three-row seating. If budget is a priority, sticking with the EX trim ensures you get all the core benefits without paying extra for luxury features.Compared to alternatives, the Sorento PHEV stands out as one of the few plug-in hybrid SUVs that offer a third row, at least in this price range. Competitors like the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Kia Sportage PHEV are cheaper, but they dont provide the same interior space. If a larger cabin isnt a necessity, those options may be worth considering for cost-conscious buyers. However, for families who want the flexibility of extra seats without going full EV, the Sorento PHEV strikes a solid balance between efficiency, practicality, and affordability.Editors Recommendations

The Reels tabs of some Instagram users were filled with graphic videos of people being killed or maimed.