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I drove a $72,000 Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid. These 12 features make it a perfect first EV — without the range anxiety.

The left front side of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Mercedes-Benz GLC350e is a new plug-in hybrid variant of the brand's GLC compact luxury SUV.
  • I recently drove a 2025 GLC350e and was impressed by its powertrain, fancy cabin, and great tech.
  • The GLC is the second best-selling model in the Mercedes-Benz lineup.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC is one of the most popular compact luxury SUVs and the brand's second-best-selling model in the US.

I recently had the chance to spend a week driving a 2025 GLC350e 4-Matic around the streets of Atlanta. I was impressed by the Merc's PHEV drivetrain, luxurious cabin, and comprehensive suite of comfort, convenience, and safety tech.

The base rear-wheel-drive version of the GLC starts at $49,250, while the range-topping, high-performance version starts at $86,050. The PHEV variant starts at $59,900.

Here are 12 features that show why it's a great luxury SUV with the benefit of an extended EV range.

Handsome looks
Two photos show the right front and right rear corners of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The GLC's front and rear facia incorporate the latest look of Mercedes' C-Class sedans, evolving the overall shape that made the first-generation variant so popular with consumers.

The highlight of the new looks is the large mesh front grille comprised of small three-pointed starts surrounding the large Mercedes-Benz emblem in the center.

My test car came with the AMG package, which includes attractive black, 20-inch multispoke wheels and perforated brake discs.

Overall, the second-gen GLC is longer, lower, and boasts a slightly wider track than the vehicle it replaced. It's also more aerodynamic, with a 0.29 drag coefficient.

Plug-in hybrid power
The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the open hood of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The GLC350e's turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The 350e is powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with a 134-horsepower electric drive motor to produce 313 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque in total system output.

Power gets to the pavement through a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes's 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.

The GLC PHEV is good for 25 MPG of fuel economy in combined driving when using just the internal combustion engine. Factor in the hybrid system, fuel economy increases to 64 MPGe, according to the EPA.

Good electric range
The left rear corner of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV plugged into a charger.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The GLC has 54 miles of all-electric range thanks to its 23.3 kWh battery pack.

According to Mercedes, the 350e can charge from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes using a DC fast charger at a rate of 60 kW. With a standard household level-2 plug, the GLC can charge from 10% to full in under three hours.

Refined driving experience
The brown and black leather front seats in a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The GLC's front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The overall driving experience was pleasant and civilized.

The steering was precise and well-weighted, and the front coil suspension and rear air suspension combined to deliver a soft and smooth ride.

With the ICE and electric drive systems operating in harmony, the 350e felt smooth and effortlessly powerful. While I did detect some hesitation when switching between various EV, hybrid, and ICE driving modes, the hybrid system was fairly seamless in operation.

Despite its 313 horsepower and 406 lb ft. of torque, the PHEV GLC wasn't any quicker than the standard GLC 300, which has 255 horsepower under its hood.

That's because the GLC hybrid carries an additional 1,000 lbs of heft.

Stylish cabin
The front dash of a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 GLC's front dash.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The GLC shares much of its cabin design with the current C-Class sedan and the new CLE Coupe and Cabriolet.

That's a good thing because it looks terrific. The interior blends modern tech and design like the metal weave center console, massive LED displays, and LED ambient lighting with callbacks to classic Mercedes-Benz design with the vintage turbine design air vents and fine wood trim.

The only real complaint I have, and one that I have with most modern Mercedes cabins, is the touch controls, which look great but can be fussy and imprecise to use while driving.

Comfortable seats
The brown and black leather front seats in a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The GLC's brown and black leather front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The GLC's 16-way power front seats, which are heated and ventilated, were very comfortable.

The sienna brown and black seats were upholstered in a material called MB-Tex, which does a fair approximation of real leather.

Stylish Digital Cockpit
Four photos show the steering and various configurations of the 12.3-inch digital instrument display in a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The GLC's steering wheel and configurable digital instrument display.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In front of the driver is a stylish, leather-wrapped, heated AMG flat-bottom steering wheel.

The 12.3-inch configurable instrument display can be tailored to the needs of the driver with different designs focused on assistance features, the navigation system, and even off-road driving.

Excellent infotainment tech
Five photos show the various configurations of the 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen in a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The GLC's 11.9-inch infotainment screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The focal point of the GLC's center stack is a large 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. The screen is equipped with the third-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system, which is pretty well sorted at this point. It's responsive and easy to navigate, and the graphics look terrific. The system's overeager voice assistance is also far less intrusive than in past iterations.

The system's built-in navigation maps look spectacular, and the image quality of the GLC's surround-view cameras is equally impressive.

My test car came with the Guard 360 system, which uses the GLC's surround-view camera system to actively monitor the SUV and take time-stamped images of events such as collision damage when parked.

Burmester stereo
The Burmester speaker on the driver's side rear door of a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The GLC's Burmester audio system.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The optional 710-watt, 15-speaker Burmester 3D audio system sounds crisp and powerful. The system's metallic speaker covers also look fantastic.

Off-road mode
Off Road Mode on the 11.9-inch central infotainment screen in a 2025 Mercedes-Belz GLC350e PHEV luxury SUV.
The GLC's off-road menu.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Among the 350e's various drive modes is an off-road mode that allows the PHEV to tackle rough terrain using only its electric drivetrain.

The GLC can also be had with a "transparent hood" feature that allows the driver to see through the hood at what's under and immediately in front of the vehicle when driving off-road.

Panoramic glass roof
The panoramic glass roof in a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The GLC panoramic glass roof.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Mercedes Panorama roof, a $1,500 option, floods the cabin with natural light with minimal effect on headroom.

Safety tech
The front of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The GLC comes standard with a host of safety tech, including adaptive high beam assist, blind spot assist, and active parking assist.

However, you'll need to pay for the $1,950 Driver Assistance Package to get Mercedes' outstanding Distronic adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and other high-tech features.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Some Southwest employees fear layoffs could kill the airline's famously free-spirited culture

Southwest Airlines.
A Southwest Airlines customer watches the airline's fleet of Boeing 737s from a terminal building.

Elliott Cowand Jr/Shutterstock

  • Southwest Airlines has been known for its affordable flights and fun personality since 1971.
  • The airline laid off 15% of its headquarters staff in February, the first mass layoff in company history.
  • Some current and former employees fear recent changes at the airline could kill its storied company culture.

Southwest Airlines has long billed itself as different from other carriers β€” but after the company's first-ever round of major layoffs, some employees say they worry it'll soon just become like every other airline.

Some of the teams affected by layoffs in February β€” the airline's only mass layoff since it started flying in 1971 β€” helped maintain a free-spirited culture that saw flight attendants singing announcements, gate agents putting up balloons, and employees making a music video called "Just Plane Fun," which promoted Southwest's lighthearted approach.

The company also thinned the ranks of its training staff β€” and greatly trimmed this year's internship program. Also gone: Its decades-old corporate rallies where leaders aimed to pump up the staff.

"The love is dead," one current Southwest headquarters employee told Business Insider. The person didn't want to give their name because they weren't authorized to speak to the press, but BI is aware of their identity.

How an activist firm helped upend Southwest

Southwest Airlines employees celebrate company culture at a Southwest Airlines Rally in 2023 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.
Employees celebrate Southwest Airlines culture at a company rally in 2023.

Southwest Airlines

The changes come after nearly a year of upheaval at Southwest, during which time an activist investor bought a large stake in the airline and agitated for an operational revamp to cut costs and increase profitability.

Already, Southwest has given in to one of the most visible things that made it unique: its open-seating policy. Starting in the first half of next year, customers will get seat assignments like on any other airline.

The airline also relented on its one-class-fits-all cabin. It's embarking on an overhaul of its fleet to add premium seating, like those with extra legroom available for purchase β€”Β adding a new stream of revenue for the airline.

Now, the latest staff cuts, which saw 1,750 people β€” or about 15% of Southwest's corporate staff laid off β€” could mean the slow withering away of the rest of what made Southwest different, some employees say.

Southwest told BI that the airline would still stand out because of its culture, which it said is "woven in the fabric" of its employees.

The Winning Spirit conference room
The Winning Spirit conference room at Southwest Airlines headquarters.

BOKA Powell

The airline declined to detail specific department changes. It confirmed that CEO Bob Jordan has asked "all of us at Headquarters to run a leaner organization, and that means evolving the way we approach certain focus areas."

"The strength of Southwest's Culture is critical to the success of our business and our ability to serve our Customers," a spokesperson for the airline told BI in a statement. "The decision to have a reduction in our workforce was extremely difficult and focused almost entirely on Corporate and Leadership positions, but we made every attempt to offer the Employees affected with the care and support they deserve. Our People will continue to be what sets us apart as we drive the Company forward."

One of the teams to see a significant downsizing was the airline's "hospitality" group, the current employee said.

The hospitality team is in charge of tasks like reviewing customer feedback, creating initiatives to make flying Southwest more enjoyable, and hearing from frontline employees.

For instance, the snack cart you sometimes see at a gate during a long delay: That's part of the hospitality team.

Southwest confirmed to BI that its "culture department," which helped plan corporate rallies and other employee- and brand-focused initiatives was also among the teams affected by layoffs.

Southwest Airlines employees greet a young child wearing stuffed airplane costumes at the Boston Logan International Airport gate in 2009.
Southwest employees greet a young passenger at Boston Logan International Airport in 2009.

Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images

Aviation expert Henry Harteveldt of Atmosphere Research Group told BI that the layoffs in certain departments could risk eliminating what made Southwest special.

"Culture is what helped distinguish Southwest Airlines, particularly the commitment to its people and how it went about hiring, training, retention, and more," he said.

Southwest could maintain its culture so long as longtime leaders pass down their institutional knowledge, he said

Conor Cunningham, an airline analyst with Melius Research, echoed those sentiments in recent notes to clients, calling Southwest's culture its "special sauce."

"A delicate balance is very much needed here, as culture is difficult to cultivate but easy to ruin," he said.

Customers may see a change from Southwest founder's original vision

A Southwest Airlines desk during the holidays.
Southwest Airlines gate agents work to rebook a stranded traveler during the holidays.

James Carbone/Newsday RM via Getty Images

Southwest, which launched in Texas, quickly became famous for its cowboy culture, hotpants-wearing flight attendants, and free on-board whiskey.

Charismatic, chain-smoking founder Herb Kelleher once avoided a legal battle by arm-wrestling another company's CEO over rights to the slogan "Just Plane Smart."

Kelleher's unorthodox methods promoted fun for Southwest customers and staff and pushed employees not to take themselves too seriously β€” and his leadership style inspired Doug Parker, the former CEO of Southwest's home state rival, American Airlines.

"As a younger CEO at industry meetings, I would just do everything I could to just hang around Herb, just to observe and hope I could get some of it through osmosis," Parker told BI in 2019. "He was in tune with what was happening at all levels of his company. And he really cared about it."

One laid-off employee in the technology department told BI they worry Southwest may lose loyal customers who specifically sought out the airline because of its culture and signature policies, like open seating, no-hassle trip changes, and free checked bags.

"I just feel like Southwest is done," the former employee said. "Why would [customers] choose our airline?" The person asked to remain anonymous because they don't want to hurt future hiring prospects, but BI is aware of their identity.

Not everyone has lost hope, though. Another laid-off employee, who asked not to be named for fear of losing their severance, told BI that everyone they interacted with still "maintains the culture to the best of their ability."

Herb Kelleher with Spirit of Kitty Hawk aircraft
Herb Kelleher with Spirit of Kitty Hawk aircraft

Southwest Airlines

Colleen Barrett, a longtime leader alongside Kelleher who died last May, was also key to building Southwest's culture. For decades, she encouraged employees to promote respect, fun, and spirit during work to codify Southwest's people-focused reputation.

"Books have been written about Southwest and its culture," Harteveldt said. To Kelleher and Barrett, "Southwest was more than efficiency and low costs," he said. "They viewed the culture as an asset that made Southwest as a brand more relevant to travelers than competitors."

Elliott's new vision for Southwest

After Barrett's death, Elliott Management, the activist investor, soon announced its stake in Southwest and pushed to shake up the airline. Some employees said they thought Barrett had been the last gatekeeper of old Southwest culture.

The hedge fund said Southwest was leaving opportunities on the table, accusing the airline's leadership of a "stubborn unwillingness to evolve" its business practices, product offerings like the lack of premium seating, and technology infrastructure.

Even though Southwest has failed to turn an annual profit only once since 1973, Elliott noted that the airline's recent earnings were a mere fraction of what they were before the pandemic, while rivals have reported record hauls.

Southwest has also struggled to keep the price of its stock in line with competitors. Over the past year, its shares are down more than 12%, compared to Delta Air Lines, for example, which is up more than 40%

A spokesperson for Elliott Management declined to comment.

Now, with the latest changes β€” especially the job cuts in core culture-driving groups β€” there may be no one to stop Southwest from being just another run-of-the-mill US airline, some employees said.

"There's definitely a different culture from here on out," the former technology team member told BI. "I think people are going to realize this isn't Southwest."

Colleen Barrett Servant's Heart tribute
Colleen Barrett Servant's Heart tribute at Southwest Airlines Headquarters.

Southwest Airlines

The February layoffs come on top of a huge year of changes at Southwest. Consider this timeline:

  • May 2024: Barrett dies at 79 after decades of building Southwest's culture.
  • June 2024: Elliott Management takes a $1.9 billion stake in Southwest, or about 11% of its shares at the time, making it one of the company's largest shareholders.
  • July 2024: Southwest announced the coming addition of premium cabins and an end to its famous open-seating policy.
  • October 2024: Southwest names six new board seats, including five recommended by Elliott.
  • January 2025: Employee rallies canceled, and Southwest's popular internship program downsized.
  • February 2025: Southwest cuts 1,750 corporate employees, including hospitality staff. A day later, Elliott made an agreement with Southwest that would allow it to acquire up to a 19.9% stake.

Of course, Southwest's culture may endure even after the big changes. The company says it's making these changes to save $510 million over the next two years.

Its first red-eye flights and first international partnership took off in mid-February. Assigned seating will begin in the first half of 2026.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove a $48,000 Kia Sorento. It's great for families looking for a stylish and practical SUV.

The left front corner of a green 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD midsize SUV parked on the street.
A Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD in jungle green.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Kia Sorento is a midsize three-row family SUV that's also available as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.
  • I was impressed by the Sorento's punchy turbocharged engine, rugged styling, and great tech.
  • I found the Sorento's third row to be cramped and the climate controls cumbersome.

The Kia Sorento is one of a handful of SUVs that fill a very specific niche in the market: a midsize slotted in between compact crossovers and large three-row midsize SUVs like Kia's excellent Telluride.

While most others in this segment, like the Subaru Outback and the Honda Passport, come with two rows of seats, the Sorento and its corporate sibling, the Hyundai Santa Fe, are in the unique position of having three rows.

Even though that extra row is a bit short on space, the Sorento features rugged looks, a punchy engine, and a comprehensive suite of tech features.

I recently spent a week with a 2024 Kia Sorento in X-Line SX-Prestige trim.
The right rear corner of a green 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD midsize SUV parked on the street.
A Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The base 2025 Sorento LX starts at $31,990, while the range-topping X-Pro SX Prestige AWD trim starts at $47,390.

With fees, my top-of-the-line, Georgia-made test car came out to $48,285.

The 2025 Sorento is pretty much unchanged, with the most significant update being black instead of silver badging on X-Line trim models.
Two photos show the front and rear of a green 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX-Prestige midsize SUV parked on the street.
The Kia Sorento X-Line SX-Prestige 2.5T AWD.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The current fourth-generation Sorento debuted in 2021 and received a mid-cycle refresh in 2024 with some updated styling and tech.

The revised front end, with its squared edges, vertical LED headlights, and rectangular grille, looks bold and rugged. It draws heavily from the brand's flagship Telluride SUV.

At 189.6 inches long, the Sorento splits the difference between the compact Sportage and the Telluride.
The driver's side of a green 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD midsize SUV parked on the street.
A Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car boasted a limited 6.9 inches of ground clearance, less than the Subaru Outback and Honda Passport, both of which offer more than eight inches of clearance.

The Sorento is available in four different powertrains, including a hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.
The 2.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the open hood of a green 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD midsize SUV.
The Sorento's 2.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My high-end test car was powered by a 281 horsepower turbocharged engine with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The Sorento can also be had as a hybrid with 227 horsepower and as a plug-in hybrid with 261 horsepower and 31 miles of electric range.

My all-wheel-drive, turbocharged test car boasts EPA fuel economy figures of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, pretty par for the course in this part of the market.

The Sorento's punchy turbocharged engine really shines.
The front cabin of a 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD midsize SUV from the passenger side.
The Sorento's sage green leather front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Kia's 2.5-liter turbocharged engine and eight-speed DCT combine to make the Sorento a surprisingly peppy SUV. Power delivery felt immediate, consistent, and pretty smooth for a turbocharged four-cylinder.

The SUV's responsive steering makes it one of the better-handling midsize SUVs I've driven.

According to Kia, my 4,250-pound test car could accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 131 miles per hour.

The Sorento's interior feels modern and upscale.
Five photos show the front dash, center console, and center stack in a 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD midsize SUV.
The Sorento's curved panoramic display is shared with the Kia Sportage and Telluride.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The updates to Sorento's interior really helped keep it competitive with newer entrants to the segments. The centerpiece of the new cabin is the curved panoramic display sitting atop the front dash, made up of a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The Sorento's overall interior material and build quality are solid. It's also thoughtfully designed with intuitively located controls. My only real gripe is with the small center stack display that houses both audio and climate controls. The screen switches between the two sets of controls and can be ungainly to use.

The large panoramic glass sunroof really brightens up the cabin, especially on a gray, cloudy day.
The panoramic sunroof in a 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD midsize SUV.
The Sorento's panoramic sunroof.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The panoramic roof is available on all Sorentos except the base trim.

My test car's heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel felt great on a cold winter day.
Three photos show the steering wheel, digital instrument display, and blind spot view monitor in a 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD midsize SUV.
The Sorento's steering wheel, instrument display, and blindspot view monitor.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Sorento's 12.3-inch digital instrument display looks crisp but offers limited configurability. It's also home to one of my favorite features, the blind spot view monitor, which uses a camera mounted to the side mirrors to give you a live video feed of your blind spots anytime the turn signal is activated.

The sage green leather seats in my test car were heated and ventilated.
The sage green leather front seats in a 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD midsize SUV.
The Sorento's sage green leather front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The seats, with decorative stitching, not only looked fancy but were also very comfortable.

The Kia's touchscreen is responsive and easy to navigate.
Three photos show the 12.3-inch touchscreen on the front dash of a 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD SUV with Apple CarPlay and Surround view monitor.
The Sorento's infotainment screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The latest version of Hyundai/Kia's corporate infotainment system provides an excellent overall user experience.

The screen is also home to Sorento's 360-degree surround-view camera system.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all trims.

The optional captain's chairs reduce passenger capacity from seven to six.
The sage green leather second-row captain's chairs in a 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD midsize SUV.
The Sorento's sage green second-row captain's chairs.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Regardless of seating configuration, the Sorento's 41.7-inch second-row legroom is impressive, eclipsing the larger Toyota Highlander and getting close to its big brother, Telluride.

The Kia's third row comes in handy but may be tight for adults, especially on long trips.
The sage green thrid row seats in a 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD midsize SUV.
The Sorento's third row.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

With 29.6 inches of legroom, the two-person bench is comparable in space to an economy seat on a low-cost airline. Amazing, it actually beats the Toyota Highlander by 1.6 inches.

The Sorento cargo-carrying ability is severely limited when the third row is in use, with just 12.6 cubic feet of space in the back.
Three photos show the cargo capacity in a green 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX-Prestige behind its third, second, and front rows of seats.
The Sorento's cargo compartment.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Fold down the third-row bench, and cargo capacity expands to an impressive 45 cubic feet. In total, the Sorento offers up to 75.5 cubic feet of cargo space with both rear rows of seats folded.

Forward collision avoidance assist, blind spot collision avoidance warning, and lane keeping assist are all standard
The front of a green 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD midsize SUV parked on the street.
A jungle green Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Adaptive cruise control is also standard across the board, but high-end models get fancier navigation-based systems with machine-learning capability.

My verdict: The Sorento is a practical, handsomely styled midsize SUV with the flexibility of third-row seats and a broad choice of engines.
The left side of a green 2024 Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD parked on the street.
A Kia Sorento X-Line SX Prestige 2.5T AWD in jungle green.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Kia Sorento offers shoppers an intriguing proposition: a handsomely styled, tech-laden family SUV with the people-carrying ability of a larger, midsize SUV like the critically acclaimed Telluride, but for about $5,000 less.

While you will have to make certain concessions, such as reduced interior and cargo space, a less refined ride, and a four-cylinder engine isn't as smooth as the Telluride's V6.

Even still, the Sorento will make a lot of sense for many families, especially those who like the flexibility of a third row and the choice of hybrid and ICE engines.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove hybrid compact SUVs from Honda and Mazda. Here's how they compare and which one I'd buy.

Two photos show the left front corners of a gray 2025 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid SUV and a gray 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus SUV parked in a lot.
The 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring (Top) and 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • I recently drove the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50 compact hybrid SUVs.
  • The CR-V wins for its superb cabin ergonomics, solid build quality, and intuitive tech.
  • The CX-50 Hybrid offers peppy driving dynamics, athletic looks, and a smartly designed cabin.

I recently had the chance to drive both the Honda CR-V Hybrid and the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, two of the most popular compact SUVs.

The CX-50 is one of my favorite competitors in the segment. I loved its handsome styling, premium cabin, great fuel economy, and strong driving dynamics.

But on a day-to-day basis, the CR-V's roomy cabin, comfortable seats, and more intuitive infotainment tech shine through.

Here's a closer look at how the two stack up against one another.

Which is a better deal?
Two photos show the left front corners of a gray 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring SUV and a gray 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus SUV parked.
The Canadian-made Honda CR-V Hybrid (Top) and the Alabama-built Mazda CX-50 Hybrid.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50 are similarly priced, with their most affordable hybrid models starting at $34,000.

My fully loaded CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus and CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring test cars both start at around $40,000, with as-tested prices of $42,065 and $42,600, respectively.

The biggest difference is that all CX-50s come standard with all-wheel drive, but the feature only comes on the range-topping CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring.

Which looks better?
Four photos show the front and right rear corners of a gray 2025 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid SUV and a gray 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus SUV.
The 2025 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid (Left) and the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The current generation CR-V is an attractively styled crossover with rugged, chiseled looks β€” but the CX-50 might be the best-looking SUV in the segment. The CX-50 features the latest derivative of Mazda's signature Kodo design language, marrying its traditional curves with a more rugged, squared-off athletic look.

Which one is larger?
Tow photos show the driver's side of a gray 2025 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid SUV and a gray 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus SUV.
The 2025 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid (Top) and the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

At 186.1 inches, the CX-50 is one of the longest offerings in the segment and about 1.5 inches longer than the CR-V.

However, this doesn't translate to its interior, with the CR-V offering 103.5 cubic. feet of total passenger space to the CX-50's 97 cubic feet.

Which hybid has better power?
Two photos show the four-cylinder hybrid engines under the open hoods of a 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring SUV and a 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus SUV.
The Honda CR-V Hybrid's engine (Left) and the Mazda CX-50's hybrid engine.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Honda's hybrid system features an 181 horsepower electric traction motor and a 161 horsepower electric generator motor mounted side-by-side in the engine compartment next to a 145 horsepower, 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine.

The total system output for the CR-V comes to 204 horsepower.

In most instances, the CR-V Hybrid operates as a series hybrid, with the electric motors driving the wheels and the ICE engine focused on charging its small 1.06 kWh battery pack. However, the system can switch to parallel hybrid mode during highway cruising, with the ICE engine connecting to the front axle through a clutch.

The Mazda's hybrid system, sourced from Toyota, is a traditional parallel hybrid with a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with a pair of electric motors and a 1.59-kWh battery pack.

The Mazda's total system output is 219 horsepower.

Which has a better all-wheel-drive system?
The rear end of a gray 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring SUV parked on a street.
A 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Mazda and Honda take very different approaches to all-wheel drive.

The CX-50 depends on a 54-horsepower electric motor to create a virtual all-wheel-drive system, while the CR-V uses a physical connection to send up to 50% of the engine's power to the back. This setup is more in line with conventional SUVs.

How efficient are they?
The Honda CR-V Hybrid's hybrid system status is displayed on its 9-inch infotainment screen.
The CR-V's hybrid system status.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CR-V Hybrid with AWD boasts EPA fuel economy figures of 40 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined. Front-wheel-drive hybrid models get about three additional mpg.

The all-wheel-drive CX-50 offers similar EPA fuel economy figures of 39 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined.

How do they drive?
A passenger-side view of the front cabin of a 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus compact SUV.
The CX-50's front cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Honda CR-V is pleasant and inoffensive to drive, with a quiet and refined ride, but it's far from exciting.

Like the CR-V, the CX-50 is sensible, fuel-efficient transportation but brings a dose of Mazda zoom-zoom to the party.

The CX-50's steering is well-weighted and offers a decent amount of feedback for a vehicle of its type. The suspension is a bit stiffer than most of its rivals, which helps it approach corners with great composure, but it does compromise ride comfort a tad.

The Mazda's hybrid powertrain delivers peppy performance, especially in Power mode, thanks to the ample torque from its electric motors.

Which one has a nicer interior?
Six photos show the front dash, front seats, and sunroofs in a 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring SUV and a 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus SUV.
The CR-V Hybrid's cabin (Left) and the CX-50 Hybrid's cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CR-V cabin is comfortable and smartly organized, with exceptional build and material quality. Honda's engineers certainly prioritized practicality and durability over luxury.

Like the CR-V, the Mazda has strong build quality but also delivers a premium, upscale feel.

Which has a more comfortable cabin?
Four photos show the black front and rear seats in a 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring SUV and the red seats in a 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus SUV.
The CR-V's black leather seats and the CX-50's red leather seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CX-50's interior may feel more upscale, but the CR-V is roomier with more comfortable seats.

The CR-V's seats, designed to combat fatigue, proved to be supportive and comfortable on long drives. On the other hand, the CX-50's red leather seats, which look amazing, lacked cushioning and support. It felt like you were sitting on the seat instead of in it.

The two SUVs boast nearly identical front seat head and legroom, but the CR-V offers substantially more rear seat head and legroom.

How does the tech stack up?
Two photos show the Honda CR-V Hybrid's 9-inch infotainment screen and the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid's 10.25-inch touchscreen.
The CR-V's 9-inch touchscreen (Top) and the CX-50's 10.25-inch touchscreen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CX-50's 10.25-inch widescreen display looks great, but the software behind it makes daily use a bit weird. The display is only a touchscreen when Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is initiated. In all other instances, the system requires the use of a cumbersome rotary controller on the center console.

Despite being somewhat dated, the Honda's touchscreen interface is intuitively designed and far easier to use than the Mazda's.

How much cargo can they carry?
Two photos show the cargo compartment behind the rear seats of a gray 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring SUV and a gray 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus SUV.
The Honda CR-V (Top) cargo compartment and the Mazda CX-50.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CR-V offers a stout 34.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats, 5.5 cu. ft. more than the CX-50. Fold the down rear seats, and cargo capacity expands to 76.5 cu. ft., which trounces the 56.3 cu. ft. in the Mazda.

The CR-V Hybrid is my winner for its comfortable, well-designed cabin, superior cargo space, and easy-to-use tech.
The left front corner of a gray 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD Sport Touring SUV parked in front of a house.
The 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD Sport Touring SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

As much as I enjoyed the Mazda's peppy driving dynamics, the Honda's practicality and comfort won the day for me.

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I drove the Chinese-made Lincoln Nautilus, and it's one of the best luxury SUVs I've ever tested

The right front corner of a black 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve  III luxury SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Lincoln Nautilus is a two-row, midsize luxury SUV made at Ford's factory in Hangzhou, China.
  • I was impressed by its elegant styling, upscale interior, and show-stopping tech.
  • The Nautilus delivers a comfortable ride but isn't particularly fun to drive.

The Lincoln Nautilus is one of two Chinese-made vehicles sold in the US under a domestic brand.

The third generation of the luxury SUV was an immediate hit when it launched in 2024 and is now Lincoln's best-selling model.

Smart design touches, a comfortable interior complete with a panoramic screen, and relaxed driving made the midsize SUV one of the best I've testedΒ β€” even at a pricey $67,000.

I recently spent a week with a 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve.
The driver's side of a black 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III luxury SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The base Nautilus Premiere starts at $51,890, while the top-spec Black Label trim kicks off at $75,050.

My mid-grade Reserve trim test car starts at $61,010. Freight fees and the other add-ons pushed the as-tested price past $67,000.

The Nautilus is elegantly styled.
Two photos show the front and rear of a black 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III Luxury SUV parked on the street.
The overall design of the Lincoln Nautilus is clean and uncluttered.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

It's eye-catching and attractive but never feels the need to shout about it. There is no tacky body cladding or superfluous badging extolling the vehicle's luxury street cred. In fact, the word "Lincoln," shows up only once on the SUV (on the tailgate), and the Nautilus badge appears only twice, tastefully adorning the front doors. That's it.

The integrated door handles are one of my favorite design touches.
The driver's door handle on a black 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III luxury SUV.
Lincoln's signature door handles.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

It's a feature shared with the most recent Lincoln Continental sedan, one of my other favorite cars.

The Nautilus also comes with Ford's signature Securicode keyless keypad, as taple on high-end Ford models for more than 40 years.

The Nautilus is powered by a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the opened hood of a black 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III luxury SUV.
The Nautlius's turbocharged, four-cylinder engine boasts EPA fuel economy figures of 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined β€” solid for this segment

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Under the hood of my test is a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, direct-injected inline-four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 ft.-lb. of torque. It's paired with a traditional eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system, which comes standard on all trims.

The Nautilus is tuned for comfort, not excitement.
The front cabin of a 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III luxury SUV from the passenger side.
The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III front cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Despite the peppy acceleration from the 250-horsepower turbo four under the hood (0-60 in 7.3 seconds, according to Car and Driver), the Nautilus was made for comfortable cruising.

In fact, the SUV feels awkward and uneasy when pushed around corners, with understeering becoming more and more intense the quicker you go.

Keep the driving relaxed, and the Nautilus will reward you with a smooth and effortless experience.

The Nautilus comes with a four-year subscription to Ford's excellent Blue Cruise handsfree driving tech, which works brilliantly on straight sections of highway. The system augments the intelligent adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems that come standard on the Nautilus.

The interior is where the Lincoln really stepped up their game.
Three photos show the front dash, center console controls, and panoramic roof in a 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III luxury SUV.
The Lincoln Nautilus cabin experience is more than capable of competing with industry heavyweights like the Mercedes-Benz GLE or Lexus RX.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The interior is truly impressive. While the massive panoramic screen on the front dash may steal the show, it's Lincoln's thoughtful eye for detail that stands out, like the soft touch leather materials in high contact areas, upscale metallic and glass finishes on switch gear, and subtle wood grain accents create a refined and tasteful environment.

Overall ergonomics of the Nautilus interior are excellent, with plenty of story and charging options. Lincoln's build and the material quality of the interior are both excellent. Everything felt well screwed together with no rattles or squeaks around.

My only real gripe with the cabin is the need for physical climate controls.

The centerpiece of the cabin is the massive 48-inch Panoramic Screen that spans the entire width of the front dash.
Three photos show the panoramic display and center stack touchscreen display on the front dash of a 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III Luxury SUV.
The Panoramic Display and center stack touchscreen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The screen actually reminds me of the curved dash from Lincoln's boldly styled Mark 8 coupe of the 90s.

The Panoramic Screen is actually comprised of two smaller screens, the driver instrument display and navigation screen on the left and an information display in front of the passenger.

But as impressive as the big screen may look, it does feel a bit gimmicky. The passenger half doesn't do much apart from display information from a handful of widgets, such as the trip computer, audio info, weather, and clock.

Functionally, everything except for the instrument display is controlled using the 11.1-inch touchscreen on the center stack with a Google-based operating system.

The system was highly responsive and intuitively organized. It features built-in Google Maps, web browsing, and media streaming capability. The Nautilus also comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The oval-shaped steering wheel is a feature unique to the Nautilus.
Two photos show the oval steering wheel and digital instrument display in a 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III Luxury SUV.
The Lincoln's steering wheel and instrument display.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The flat-top wheel is certainly a striking design feature, but it's really an act of necessity to allow drivers visibility of the instrument display without the need for a massive steering wheel.

Even with the oval shape, I found myself needing to lower the wheel so that it would not obscure the instruments.

Lincoln has traditionally done a good job with seat design, and it continues with the Nautilus.
The black leather front seats in a black 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III luxury SUV.
The Nautilus front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The leather, massaging front seats were some of the most comfortable and supportive I've experienced in a long time. The 24-way power adjustability allows you to really fine-tune the positioning of the seat.

The Nautilus comes with a multi-sensory relaxation feature called Rejuvenate.
The visual component of Lincoln's Rejuvenate multisensory experience in a 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III luxury SUV.
Lincoln Rejuvenate's Aurora Borealis setting.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

It's basically an in-car spa experience that uses the seats' heat and massage features along with a selection of sounds, scents, and visuals to create a curated relaxation time for the driver when the vehicle is stationary.

The Nautilus offers an impressive 43.1-inches of rear legroom.
Three photos show the rear seats, rear seat USB-C sockets, rear seat heater controls, and AC vents in a 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III luxury SUV.
The Nautilus back seats. It does not have a third row.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The spacious rear cabin also comes with heated outboard seats, an AC power socket, and seatback USB-C plugs.

Open the hands-free power liftgate, and you'll find a cavernous 35.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.
Three photos show the cargo compartment space behind the rear seats, with the rear seats folded, and under the cargo floor of a 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III luxury SUV.
The Nautilus's cargo compartment.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Fold down the rear seats, and cargo capacity expands to 68.8 cubic feet. The Nautilus, even in hybrid form, comes with a spare tire. Something that's becoming increasingly rare these days.

My Verdict: The Lincoln Nautilus is an exceptional luxury SUV with great style, a quiet ride, an upscale cabin, and eye-catching tech.
The left front corner of a black 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve III luxury SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In the crowded luxury SUV market, Lincoln is fighting an uphill battle, especially for the attention of young buyers who tend to gravitate toward German brands.

With elegant looks, a refined ride, show-stopping tech, and an upscale interior that punches above its weight, the Nautilus is certainly an impressive new contender in the segment.

It's one I'd consider opening my wallet for.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. These 11 features make it one of the coolest EVs money can buy.

The left front corner of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV parked on the street.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in Soultronic Orange.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the new high-performance variant of the Korean compact EV SUV.
  • I recently drove a 2025 Ioniq 5 N with an eye-catching "Soultronic Orange" paint job.
  • I was impressed by the EV's retro, rally car styling, supercar performance, and advanced tech.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has been a popular compact EV amongst consumers over the last couple of years, with sales up 31% to more than 44,000 units in 2024.

This year, Hyundai introduced two new Ioniq 5 flavors: the off-road-capable XRT trim and the high-performance N.

I recently tested a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in Soultronic Orange with an as-tested price of $67,685. I was impressed by the EV's retro rally car styling, supercar performance, and its advanced suite of driving and infotainment tech.

11 stand-out features help make it an incredible high-performance EV rally car.

Rally car styling
Three photos show the left front, right front, and rear of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV.
The Ioniq 5 N's styling.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Despite being labeled an SUV, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a hot hatchback in the truest sense. It evokes classic rally racers from the 1980s and early 90s, like the Lancia Delta Integrale.

The N's revised front fascia features aerodynamic elements like wings and active air flaps for improved cooling. Out back, the N is equipped with a large spoiler up top and a diffuser that protrudes from the bumper to optimize airflow.

Compared to the standard Ioniq 5, the N is about an inch lower, two inches wider at the bottom due to wider tires, and over three inches longer due to the rear diffuser.

Dual motor power
The electronics under the front hood of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV.
No frunk under the Ioniq 5 N's hood.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The N is equipped with a 233-horsepower permanent management synchronous electric motor up front and a more powerful 378-horsepower unit out back. Together, they produce 601 total system horsepower, nearly double the 320 horsepower of the regular AWD Ioniq 5.

N Grin Boost
The steering wheel in a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV.
The Ioniq 5 N's steering wheel.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Ioniq 5 N features an 'N Grin Boost' feature that unleashes a temporary boost of extra power. By pushing the orange "NGB" button on the steering wheel, the Ioniq 5 N's total power output jumps from 601 to 641 horsepower in 10-second bursts.

Simulated rally car driving experience
The rear end of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV parked on the street.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in Soultronic Orange.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Ioniq 5 N takes everything that's wonderful about high-performance EVs, instant torque, and mind-bending acceleration and stuffs it into a package with the visceral pleasures of an internal combustion rally car.

When the right performance settings are engaged, a tachometer appears, and the car revs like it has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood, thanks to Hyundai's N Active Sound+ system.

Launch the EV, and its N e-shift feature allows you to work your way through simulated gears designed to mimic the feel of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

It delivers a simulated ICE experience that feels slightly surreal but is like no other vehicle on the market.

Incredible acceleration
The right front corner of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV parked on the street.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in Soultronic Orange.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Hyundai claims the 4,900-lb SUV can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.25 seconds and reach a top speed of 162 mph. Motor Trend was able to go even quicker with a 0-60 time of just 2.8 seconds.

Fast charging
The front of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV parked at a DC fast charger.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N at a DC fast charger.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

According to Hyundai, the Ioniq 5 N can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes at a rate of over 250kw. With a 240V level-two charger, its batteries can charge from 10% to 100% in about 7 hours.

The SUV also has bi-directional charging capability, which means it can power small appliances outside the vehicle.

Performance wheels and tires
The 21-inch N-Exclusive forged alloys on the left front of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV.
The Ioniq 5 N's 21-inch wheels.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The N gets upgraded 21-inch wheels with sticky 275mm wide Pirelli P-Zero tires. Behind the rims are massive 15.75-inch front brakes and 14.2-inch units in the rear.

Special performance tech
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV's N track performance features menu on its 12.3-inch infotainment screen.
The Ioniq 5 N's performance features menu.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Hyundai loaded its EV with an extensive array of tech that was designed to maximize the Ioniq 5's performance potential on the race track.

For example, drivers can manually tune torque distributed between the front and rear axles. There's also an electronic limited-slip differential for improved cornering performance and an upgraded thermal management system for its battery pack to limit power loss due to excessive heat.

The battery management system also allows drivers to pre-condition their batteries before driving for different types of racing, like a "Drag" mode for short bursts at full power or a "Track" mode that prioritizes sustained performance lapping a race course.

The Ioniq 5 N also has N Brake Regen, which maximizes the regenerative braking ability of its EV drive system to assist the vehicle's mechanical brakes to limit brake fade.

Finally, there's the N Drift Optimizer, AKA drift mode, which helps the driver maintain a drift through a corner.

Light-up N-branded seats
Three photos show the Alcantara lightweight sport bucket front seats and light-up N logo in a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N's front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Ioniq 5 N's special lightweight sport bucket seats come with light-up "N" logos. The heated and ventilated faux leather bucket seats are well bolstered and proved exceptionally supportive in the corners. However, they are manually adjusted, which can be a bit of an annoyance when getting into and out of the vehicle.

Excellent infotainment
Four photos show the Hyundai infotainment system, surround-view camera, and Apple CarPlay on the 12.3-inch infotainment screen in a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
The Ioniq 5 N's infotainment screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Ioniq 5's 12.3-inch touchscreen runs the latest version of Hyundai's corporate infotainment system, which is easy to navigate and loaded with features.

The screen also houses the N's many performance feature menus and a surround-view camera.

The Ioniq 5 N comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Impressive standard safety tech
The passenger-side blind spot view monitor is on the 12.3-inch digital instrument display in a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV.
The Ioniq 5 N's passenger side blind spot view monitor.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Ioniq 5 N comes standard with pretty much every piece of safety and driver's assistance tech in Hyundai's arsenal, including a surround-view monitor, blind spot view monitor, blind spot collision avoidance, navigation-based smart cruise control, lane-following assist, and lane-keeping assist.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove a $48,000 Nissan Frontier. It's simple, powerful, and delivers pretty much everything you need in a truck.

The left front of a blue 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck parked on the street.
The 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB V6 4X4 pickup truck in Bluestone Pearl.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Nissan Frontier has been one of America's best-selling midsize pickup trucks since 1998.
  • I was impressed by the Frontier's powerful V6 engine, easy-to-use cabin, and solid tech features.
  • The truck's fuel economy is lackluster, and its steering can feel heavy and unwieldy.

Since its debut in 1998, the Nissan Frontier pickup has been a popular midsize workhorse for weekend DIYers and tradespeople alike.

Fast forward a quarter century, and the Frontier remains a popular midsize pickup, with 68,000 sold in the US last year. It trails the segment-leading Toyota Tacoma but remains ahead of rivals like the Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, and Jeep Gladiator.

I recently spent a week with a long-wheelbase 2025 Frontier Crew Cab SL 4X4.

My test car came to $47,750.
The front of a blue 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck parked on the street.
The 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB 4X4 V6 in Bluestone Pearl.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The base Nissan Frontier King Cab 4X2 starts at $32,050, while my top-of-the-range Frontier SL Crew Cab long-wheel-base 4X4 starts at $45,610.

Premium paint, floor mats, and shipping fees pushed the as-test price for the Mississippi-built truck to nearly $48,000.

The 2025 Frontier received a couple of minor styling updates, including revised headlights, grille, and bumper.
Two photos show the right front and left rear of a blue 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck parked on the street.
The 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB V6 4X4 in Bluestone Pearl.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Frontier is an attractively designed truck. Its rugged, squared-off looks blend modern styling with design elements like the vents atop the front grille, inspired by Nissan's iconic Hardbody pickups of the late 1980s.

My Frontier test car is rated to tow up to 6,700 pounds.
The tailgate of a blue 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck parked by a field.
The Frontier's tailgate.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The truck's towing capacity varies by trim, with the highest being 7,150 lbs for the base Frontier S King Cab 4X2.

My SL grade test car came standard with a class IV receiver hitch member, trailer sway control, and a tow/ haul mode switch.

The Frontier's overall towing capability is on par with that of the midsize segment. However, those looking for a tow vehicle are better off shopping in the full-size segment.

All Frontiers are powered by a 3.8-liter V6 from Nissan's award-winning VQ family of engines.
The 3.8-liter VQ series V6 engine under the open hood of a blue 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck.
Under the hood is a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6 producing 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

With the Tacoma, Ranger, Colorado, and Canyon all powered by turbocharged four-cylinders, the Frontier is one of the last trucks in the segment to offer a V6.

My 4X4 test car boasts EPA fuel economy figures of 17 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined.

I had to be fairly ginger with the throttle to reach the EPA fuel economy figures, which weren't great to start out with. But that's the trade-off you have to make to keep the smooth V6 under the hood, and one I'm willing to make any day of the week.

My 4X4 test car came with a two-speed transfer case.
The rotary four-wheel-drive system switch on the front dash of a 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck.
The Frontier 4WD system switch.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Frontier's four-wheel-drive system defaults to rear-wheel drive but can be switched to four-wheel drive using a rotary dial on the center stack. The two-speed transfer case offers a four-low setting for when the driver needs additional torque and traction when driving off-road or hauling heavy loads at low speeds.

The Frontier drives like a truck.
The front cabin of a 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck.
The Frontier's front cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Frontier drives like the modern body-on-frame pickup truck it is. It rides well, coasting over bumps with ease thanks to its large tires, and offers a relatively quiet cabin even at high speeds.

The punchy V6 and nine-speed automatic combined to deliver strong and smooth acceleration on demand.

One negative that stood out to me was its abnormally heavy steering, which can make navigating tight spaces a chore.

While it isn't as refined as the passenger car-based Honda Ridgeline, the Frontier is more than civilized enough to be a comfortable everyday driver.

The Frontier is logically designed with materials designed to stand up to punishment.
Four photos show the front dash, center console, center stack, and sunroof in a 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck.
The Frontier SL's cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Frontier's cabin is designed to be durable and easy to use. And that's exactly what it is. Ergonomics are excellent; all the buttons and switches are where one would expect them to be. The big rotary dials and physical buttons made on-the-fly use a piece of cake, especially during cold weather when the driver wearing gloves.

Although monotone and plasticky, the material quality is solid, and everything feels well put together. No errant squeaks or rattles were detected.

The heated leather front seats were well-cushioned and offered good support.
The black leather front seats in a 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck
The Frontier's black leather front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Lower trim levels come with cloth seating.

In front of the driver is a traditional analog gauge cluster flanking a seven-inch digital information display.
The instrument cluster in a 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck.
The Frontier's instrument cluster.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

It's one of the few high-end Nissan models not to offer a fully digital instrument display.

The Frontier's infotainment setup received a big upgrade this year with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Three photos show the Nissan Connect Infotainment system, built-in navigation system, and Apple CarPlay on the 12.3-inch touchscreen in a 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck.
The Frontier's 12.3-inch infotainment screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Overall, the 12.3-inch screen looks great, and Nissan's infotainment system, while dated, is pretty easy to use. Unfortunately, its split-screen setup means you can only use 2/3s of its real estate.

However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are standard, do have access to the entire 12.3 inches of screen.

An eight-inch display comes standard on the base S trim.

The Crew Cab's rear seats offer a solid 33 inches of legroom.
Three photos show the black leather rear seats, rear cabin USB and power sockets, and the sliding rear window in a 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck.
The Frontier Crew Cab's rear cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Despite the upright seating position, the rear bench was comfortable to sit in. Rear seat passengers also get a power socket and USB plugs, as well as a sliding rear window.

The 60/40 split rear bench folds up to allow taller cargo to fit in the cab.
The storage compartment under the rear seats in a 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck.
Underseat storage.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Under the rear seats is also where you'll find the subwoofer for the 10-speaker Fender premium audio system.

The pickup's cargo bed comes with a spray-on bedliner and LED cargo lamps.
The 6.1-foot long bed in the back of a blue 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck.
The Frontier's six-foot-long truck bed.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The bed is also equipped with adjustable Utili-track cargo tie-downs.

The Frontier comes standard with loads of safety tech.
The right rear of a blue 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck parked by a field.
The 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB 4X4 V6.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear sonar system, intelligent forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control are all standard.

My Verdict: The Frontier is everything you need in a straightforward, no-nonsense pickup truck.
The right front of a blue 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup truck parked on the street.
The 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SL LWB pickup in Bluestone Pearl.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In a day and age of turbos, hybrids, and EVs, it's refreshing to encounter a no-nonsense pickup with decidedly old-school sensibilities that's also thoroughly modern.

From its basic work truck form to the fancy SL and off-road-focused Pro4X trims, the Frontier's core essence remains consistent. Everything is centered on its sturdy ladder frame chassis, bulletproof V6 engine, and easy-to-use cabin.

Even when loaded with tech and luxury features, the Frontier still feels like a true, rough-and-tumble truck. It conveys a sense of solidity that inspires confidence in its drivers.

It's been a decade since I last drove the second-gen Nissan Frontier, which was archaic even back then. The improvements and refinements made to the truck in recent years have been impressive.

And unless you need to tow massive trailers or boats all the time, the Frontier delivers pretty much everything you need in a truck for everyday life.

Honestly, it's the kind of truck I'd spend my money on.

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Washington, DC, plane crash thrusts high-stakes role of air traffic control into the spotlight

American Airlines crash with capitol in background.
The American Airlines crash has brought into question the safety and complexities of air traffic control.

Al Drago/Getty Images

  • An American Airlines flight collided with a helicopter, raising questions about air traffic control.
  • Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a former Black Hawk pilot, said military and civilian pilots usually do not speak directly to each other.
  • The FAA faces a shortage of controllers, impacting high-traffic areas like Washington DC.

The crash of an American Airlines flight in Washington, DC, has renewed anxiety about air-traffic control staffing and procedures at US airports, especially in crowded airspaces.

As investigators began to piece together how a military helicopter collided with the regional jet, questions swirled about communication between the pilots and Reagan National Airport's control tower.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an ex-Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot, told reporters that military aircraft usually do not talk directly to commercial pilots, as ATC is the responsible intermediary.

"Everybody's listening on the same frequency," she said, adding that the American flight that crashed would have been aware of the Black Hawk helicopter in the skies. "You are listening to instructions from ATC. ATC is telling you what to do."

Duckworth said an FAA briefing involving ATC tapes revealed the helicopter pilots were told about the passenger plane, and the crew confirmed "at least twice" that they had the jet in sight before the crash.

She added that the American flight was cleared to land and would have had the "right of way" and that the Black Hawk was told to pass behind. The flight was in visual flight conditions, meaning the helicopter would be visually searching for the plane.

"They would be looking up to try to find this aircraft, pick it out of the sky as it's coming in for a landing," she said.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, some military and civil aircraft, if equipped, can talk to each other using specific emergency frequencies. This is usually reserved for distress situations where immediate communication is necessary. It's unclear if the Black Hawk was equipped.

"[The Black Hawk's] flight path should have been hugging the east bank of the Potomac River, so they should not have been within the flight path of that landing aircraft," she said. "Did one of the aircraft stray away latitude, sideways in the airspace from the route that they were supposed to be on?"

National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman said the DC area is a unique environment for helicopters and that the Black Hawk was transitioning zones at the time of the crash. ATC is one of the "human factors" the agency will examine as part of its investigation, he said.

Air traffic control is a complex system with many moving parts and no room for errors

The national air traffic system in the US is immense in both size and complexity, 14,000 air traffic controllers handle upwards of 45,000 flights a day across 29 million miles of airspace.

It's an intricate network that includes hundreds of regional and area control centers, each responsible for a specific piece of airspace.

A pilot flying from San Francisco to Washington, DC, for example, could interact with more than 20 different controllers during the flight.

The job is infamous for its high stress and heavy workload, which can involve managing upwards of a dozen flights at a time.

These stressors are amplified for airports like Ronald Reagan National. The airport has strict flight paths and altitude restrictions. It handles more than 25 million passengers a year and is located in highly trafficked and highly controlled airspace, as it is near the White House, Pentagon, and other government buildings.

The airport has seen multiple near misses recently, including a Southwest Airlines flight that was instructed to cross the same runway on which a JetBlue plane was starting its take-off.

A month later, an American Airlines flight was cleared for takeoff at the same time another plane was given the go-ahead to land on an intersecting runway.

Controllers working the airspace in and around Reagan National also have to handle an extraordinary amount of private and military aircraft that operate in the area.

The situation is exacerbated by a shortage of around 3,000 air traffic controllers, which the FAA has worked to address with plans to hire 1,800 controllers in 2024 and 2,000 this year.

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I drove a $40,000 Chevrolet Equinox. These 15 features make it a perfectly capable — and affordable — small SUV

The left front corner of a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Chevrolet Equinox is a compact SUV sold alongside the Equinox EV.
  • I drove an all-wheel-drive 2025 Equinox in top-spec RS trim.
  • I was impressed by its handsome styling, good tech content, and well-designed passenger cabin.

The Chevrolet Equinox is one of the most popular compact SUVs in the marketplace. In fact, GM has sold more than 3 million Equinox's over the past two decades as a competitor against segment leaders like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue.

This year, Chevy launched a new fourth-generation Equinox to be sold alongside an EV SUV of the same name.

I recently reviewed a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV with an as-tested price of $40,370. Even though I found its four-cylinder engine to be underwhelming, there is still plenty to like about the Chevy.

15 features stood out to me that help make the Equinox a competitive SUV.

Handsome looks
Two photos show the right front and rear of a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Equinox's redesigned sheet metal is rugged and athletic. Like other recent additions to Chevy's SUV lineup, its exterior design was heavily inspired by the brand's pickup trucks.

The most striking element of Equinox's new look is its front facia, which is dominated by a large, wide grille flanked on both sides by LED headlights with thin horizontal running lights up top.

Well-designed cabin
Three photos show the front dash, center console, and turbine-design air vents in a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Chevrolet did a good job with the Equinox's interior. Cabin ergonomics are excellent, with intuitively placed controls, a good balance between physical and digital controls, and oodles of useful storage.

There's also a good mix of different materials and textures, with red accents to add a pop of color to the cabin.

The red turbine-design air vents that felt out of place in the Blazer EV add an interesting visual element.

Google-based infotainment system
The 11.3-inch infotainment screen on the center stack of a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's 11.3-inch infotainment screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

All trims come standard with a large 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen running a Google-based infotainment system that proved to be highly responsive, smartly designed, and a piece of cake to navigate. Built-in Google Maps gives Chevy one of the best integrated navigation systems around.

Digital driver's cockpit
Three photos show the steering wheel, digital instrument display, and Google Maps instrument display in a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's driver's cockpit.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In front of the driver is a flat-bottom steering along with a configurable 11-inch digital instrument display that comes standard on all trims. The display looks great and can be tailored to show traditional gauges, active driver's assistance features, and Google Maps.

Panoramic sunroof
The panoramic sunroof in a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's panoramic sunroof.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Those willing to pony up an extra $1,495 can option this lovely panoramic sunroof.

Camera mirror/washer
Two photos show the rear vision camera mirror display and camera cleaner in a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's rear camera mirror and camera cleaner.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test came with an optional rear camera mirror, which is really useful rearward visibility is obstructed by passengers or cargo. The Equinox is also equipped with washer designed to keep camera free to road gunk.

Remote engine start
The key fob of a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV on its center console armrest.
The Equinox's key fob.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car came with remote engine start, which activates by pressing the "looping arrow" button on the Chevy key fob.

Multiple drive modes
The left side of a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Front-wheel-drive Equinoxes, which are equipped with a continuously variable transmission, come with two drive modes, Normal and Snow.

All-wheel-drive units, which have a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission, also get an Off-Road mode.

RS branded Evotex seats
The black Evotex front seats with red accents in a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car's heated and ventilated power front seats featured attractive red accents and RS-branded headrests. The seats, which were upholstered in an imitation leather called Evotox, proved to be comfortable and offered good lumbar support.

Roomy rear cabin
Two photos show the black rear seats with red accents, rear cabin AC vents, and seat heaters in a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's rear cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The rear 60/40 split bench seat offers plenty of room for two adults. With 39.9 inches of legroom, the Equinox's rear cabin is larger than the Mazda CX-50 and Toyota RAV4's but trails the Nissan Rogue and Honda CR-V.

The rear seat passenger in my test car had heated outboard seats, dedicated AC vents, and USB sockets.

360-degree camera
The surround vision camera on the 11.3-inch infotainment screen in a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
The Equinox's surround vision camera.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Equinox is available with the optional HD Surround Vision 360-degree camera system, which offers the driver overhead and direct views of the vehicle's surroundings.

Standard Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay on the 11.3-inch infotainment screen in a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.
Apple CarPlay on the Equinox's infotainment screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Equinox comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Handsfree power liftgate
The left rear corner of a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV parked by the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Equinox comes standard with Chevrolet's Autosense handsfree power liftgate, which opens automatically when you approach the rear of the vehicle with the key fob.

Flexible cargo compartment
Three photos show the cargo compartment in a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS AWD SUV behind the rear seats, under the cargo floor, and with the rear seats folded.
The Equinox's flexible cargo space.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Open the liftgate, and you'll find 29.8 cubic feet of cargo space. The Equinox's cargo compartment is half a cubic foot larger than the Mazda CX-50 but roughly five cubic feet smaller than the Honda CR-V and a whopping 9 cubic feet smaller than the Hyundai Tucson.

When the rear seat is folded flat, cargo capacity expands to 63.5 cubic feet. Under the rear cargo floor, there's also a small storage area and a spare tire.

Good safety tech
The front of a red 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox RS SUV in Radiant Red Tintcoat.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Equinox comes standard with an impressive suite of safety and assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and blind zone steering assist.

Additional features like traffic sign recognition and rear pedestrian alert are available as optional extras.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove a $72,000 Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid SUV. It's the perfect gateway to EVs without the range anxiety.

A white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV plugged into a level 2 charger.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Mercedes-Benz GLC350e is the new plug-in hybrid version of the brand's GLC compact luxury SUV.
  • I was impressed by the 350e's plug-in hybrid powertrain, luxurious cabin, and great tech content.
  • The GLC350e is pricey and is only truly worth it if you take advantage of its EV range.

Mercedes-Benz unveiled a plug-in hybrid version of its top-selling GLC SUV this year, the GLC350e, giving the German automaker a competitor to Audi's Q5, Volvo XC60 and the Lexus RX.

I recently spent a week driving a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e 4Matic in Polar White around the street of suburban Atlanta.

I was impressed by the hybrid's smoothness and efficiency.
The right front corner of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV parked by a field.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV also has a luxurious cabin, and well well-designed tech features.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Although impressive, the plug-in hybrid drivetrain comes with a hefty $10,000 price premium over the standard GLC, which delivers superior internal combustion-only fuel economy and similar acceleration compared with the PHEV.

The base rear-wheel-drive version starts at $49,250, while the range-topping, high-performance version starts at $86,050.

The GLC is handsomely styled.
Two photos show the right front and right rear corners of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The GLC's front and rear facia incorporate the latest look of Mercedes' C-Class sedans, evolving the overall shape that made the first-generation variant so popular with consumers.

The second-gen GLC is longer, lower, and boasts a slightly wider track than the vehicle it replaced.
The right side of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The new GLC's 0.29 drag coefficient means it's also more aerodynamic than the outgoing model.

Under the hood is a four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a 23.3 kWh battery pack.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the open hood of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The GLC350e's turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The 350e is powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with a 134-horsepower electric drive motor to produce 313 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque in total system output.

Power gets to the pavement through a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes's 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.

The GLC PHEV is good for 25 MPG of fuel economy in combined driving when using just the internal combustion engine. Factor in the hybrid system, fuel economy increases to 64 MPGe, according to the EPA.

The GLC has 54 miles of all-electric range.
A level 2 charger plugged into the charging socket on the left rear corner of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The GLC can charge from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes using a DC fast charger at a rate of 60 kW.

With a standard household level 2 AC plug, the 350e can charge from 10% to full in under three hours.

The GLC350e drives like a refined luxury SUV.
The brown and black leather front seats in a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The GLC's front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The overall driving experience was pleasant and civilized.

The steering was precise and well-weighted, and the front coil suspension and rear air suspension combined to deliver a soft and smooth ride.

With the ICE and electric drive systems operating in harmony, the 350e felt smooth and effortlessly powerful. While I did detect some hesitation when switching between various EV, hybrid, and ICE driving modes, the hybrid system was fairly seamless in operation.

Despite its 313 horsepower and 406 lb ft. of torque, the PHEV GLC wasn't any quicker than the standard GLC 300, which has 255 horsepower under its hood. Both can do 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz.

That's because of the GLC350e's weight.

At 5,500, the PHEV battery and electric drive system add roughly 1,000 lbs of heft to the ICE GLC, which negatively affects the vehicle's performance and efficiency, especially when in ICE-only mode.

The GLC's cabin is stylish and high-tech.
Three photos show the front dash, center console, and panorama sunroof of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The cabin of a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The GLC shares much of its cabin design with the current C-Class sedan and the new CLE Coupe and Cabriolet.

That's a good thing because it looks terrific. The interior blends modern tech and design like the metal weave center console, massive LED displays, and LED ambient lighting with callbacks to classic Mercedes-Benz design with the vintage turbine design air vents and find wood trim.

The only real complaint I had, and one that I have with most modern Mercedes cabins, is the touch controls that look great but can be fussy and imprecise to use while driving.

In front of the driver is a stylish, leather-wrapped, heated flat-bottom steering wheel.
Four photos show the steering and various configurations of the 12.3-inch digital instrument display in a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The GLC's steering wheel and configurable digital instrument display.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Also, in front of the driver is a highly configurable 12.3-inch high-definition digital instrument display.

The GLC's 16-way power, two-tone front seats were very comfortable.
The brown and black leather front seats in a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The GLC's brown and black faux leather front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The sienna brown and black seats were upholstered in a material called MB-Tex, which does a fair approximation of real leather.

The focal point of the GLC's center stack is a large 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Five photos show the various configurations of the 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen in a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The GLC's 11.9-inch infotainment screen comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The screen is equipped with the third-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system that's pretty well sorted at this point. It's responsive and easy to navigate, and the graphics look terrific. The system's overeager voice assistance is also far less intrusive than in past iterations.

The system's built-in navigation maps look spectacular, and the image quality of the GLC's surround-view cameras is equally impressive.

The rear cabin is as pleasant as the front seats.
The brown and black leather rear seats in a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
The GLC rear seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Passengers riding the split rear bench seat are treated to the same upholstery and ambient lighting, and a solid 37.4 inches of legroom.

The SUV boasts a solid 24 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.
Three photos show the rear cargo compartment of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV with the rear seat up, rear seat folded, and the compartment under the cargo floor.
GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid's cargo compartment.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

With the seats folded, the cargo capacity expands to around 56 cubic feet. There is a small underfloor storage hook for tools and an emergency tire inflation kit.

The biggest difference between the 350e and the internal combustion-only models is a slight hump in the rear cargo floor and the storage bag for its charging cables, both of which eat into capacity.

The GLC comes standard with a host of safety tech, including adaptive high beam assist, blind spot assist, and active parking assist.
The front of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

However, you'll need to pay for the $1,950 Driver Assistance Package to get Mercedes' outstanding Distronic adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and other high-tech features.

My Verdict: GLC 350e is the ideal gateway for someone looking for the benefits of an EV without the range anxiety.
The left front side of a white 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV parked on the street.
The GLC 350e is a great choice for consumers looking for a compact luxury SUV but hesitant to go all-in on the full EV experience.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

As a plug-in hybrid, the 350e is at its best if the consumer is committed to or able to keep its battery pack charged.

Without the benefit of juice from its battery, the 350e is effectively a GLC 300 with 1,000 lbs of extra weight, worse fuel economy, and a $10,000 price premium.

Keep the battery charged, and you have something special.

The 350e PHEV's 54-mile all-electric range means it'll be a de facto EV on most daily commutes, while the turbocharged engine guarantees range anxiety-free road trips.

At the same time, the SUV delivers the world-class tech and luxury experience expected of a vehicle carrying the vaunted three-pointed start.

It's the best of both worlds.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Why airlines are so bullish on Europe right now

United
United

Scott Olson/Getty Images

  • United and Delta are expanding flights to Europe to capitalize on strong travel demand.
  • United and Delta are running 23% and 13% more flights to Europe compared to 2019, respectively.
  • Both airlines are upping their European presence with new transatlantic routes.

Airlines say Europe remains among the biggest money-makers going into 2025 as people eagerly flock to more international destinations.

United Airlines and Delta Air Lines said in recent earnings calls that they are deploying more seats than ever to Europe to take advantage of the booming travel demand, which has remained strong since the COVID-19 pandemic halted overseas vacations.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, United's passenger revenue to Europe increased 9.5% compared to 2023, with just a 2.3% increase in seat capacity.

Delta saw a 4% increase in transatlantic passenger revenue during the same period, despite a 2% reduction in capacity. (Delta's figures include Europe as well as half a dozen destinations in Africa and the Middle East.)

Both airlines have increased their planned transatlantic presence further into 2025, operating more than 100,000 flights total between the two, well above prior years according to data from Cirium.

Europe is no longer just a seasonal hot spot

Andrew Nocella, United's executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said during Wednesday's earnings call that Europe is becoming a "year-round destination" after being a less valuable revenue stream during off-peak months in previous years, like between January and March.

"Now we're seeing a totally different result, where people are willing to go on a Southern European vacation," he said. "And that really helps de-seasonalize Europe."

Nocella later said United expects quarter one to boast the best transatlantic financial performance in its first-quarter history.

He added that stronger hub connectivity with Star Alliance partner Lufthansa in Germany and money-making business traffic returning to London Heathrow are also helping United across the Atlantic.

Delta expressed a similar sentiment about Europe's desirability as a year-round destination for US travelers, specifically noting the strong dollar's additional buying power and the smaller crowd sizes compared to peak holiday periods.

Delta airplane
Delta flies aging Boeing 767s and newer Airbus A330s and Airbus A350s across the Atlantic.

AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

"You go to a restaurant in New York and then go to a restaurant in Europe, you'll see a vast difference in the bill," Delta president Glen Hauenstein said in the airline's January 10 earnings call. "This is a great time to travel to Europe. People are seeing that."

The Atlanta-based carrier also said it does not believe strong off-peak season demand for transatlantic flights this winter will eat into consumers' appetite for summer travel.

Bernstein analyst David Vernon maintained a buy rating for United following its earnings report, saying international flying and premium services are particularly driving revenue.

CFRA Research analyst Ana Garcia said the firm expects United to see continued profitability. She said earnings are "buoyed by network optimization and operational improvements."

United's stock is up about 13% year-to-date, while Delta's is up about 9%.

New routes to Europe from United and Delta in 2025

United has become so bullish on Europe that it plans to launch new routes to off-the-beaten-path destinations in 2025 that aren't offered by competitors.

For example, this summer, the carrier will fly nonstop to Palermo, Italy, Faro, Portugal, and Nuuk, Greenland. These flights will complement United's already extensive transatlantic network, which includes flights to more than 30 European cities from the US.

Expected deliveries of the long-haul single-aisle Airbus A321XLR β€” the first expected in January 2026 β€” will help United push further into Europe as the jet can fly routes previously unprofitable with a widebody or unreachable with older narrowbodies. It will replace the airline's aging Boeing 757s.

United 757
United plans to replace nearly every Boeing 757 route with the Airbus A321XLR come 2026. It will largely fly to Europe.

Craig Russell/Shutterstock

Still, United said widebody supply constraints, including for airframes and engines, will impact its long-haul operations through at least the end of the decade.

The carrier has placed orders for 150 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and expects to receive 11 in 2025. That is down from the 18 expected in February 2024 .

Delta has not purchased the A321XLR, and it flies only a handful of Boeing 757 aircraft across the Atlantic.

The airline instead relies on a large fleet of older Boeing 767 and newer Airbus A330 and A350 widebodies to run more than 700 flights a week to 33 European destinations.

This summer, Delta will add new routes to locales in southern Europe, such as Barcelona and Catania and Naples in southern Italy.

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I drove a $99,000 Infiniti QX80. These 18 features make it a stylish alternative to the Cadillac Escalade.

The right front corner of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked by a field.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Infiniti QX80 is a full-size luxury SUV that competes with the Lexus LX and Cadillac Escalade.
  • I recently drove a 2025 QX80 in the lower-mid-tier Luxe trim.
  • I was impressed by the SUV's eye-catching looks, luxurious high-tech cabin, and quiet ride.

The third-generation Infiniti QX80 got some much-needed updates in 2024 to help it remain competitive against industry heavyweights like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Lexus LX.

I recently reviewed a four-wheel-drive QX80 SUV with an as-tested price of $99,195. I was impressed by the QX's eye-catching looks, luxurious, high-tech cabin, and smooth ride.

The base rear-wheel-drive QX80 starts at $82,450, while the top-spec 4WD variant starts at $110,595. My lower-mid-tier four-wheel-drive Luxe trim test car starts at $92,650.

Here are 18 features that show why the QX80 is a stylish Japanese alternative to the Escalade.

Luxurious cabin
The tan leather front dash in a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's front dash.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The QX80's cabin is luxurious, roomy, and loaded with tech. The new interior is a big step forward compared to the outgoing model.

I was impressed by Infiniti's excellent mix of materials in the cabin and the quality of the fit and finish. The dual 14.3-inch screen atop the front dash looked great. Unfortunately, the 9-inch touch control screen is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, it's a tidy way to organize a maze of controls, but it's far less intuitive to use than physical buttons would be.

Apart from that, interior ergonomics are solid, there's plenty of storage, and the 64-color configurable ambient lighting looks great.

Eye-catching looks
Two photos show the right front and right rear corners of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe luxury SUV parked by a field.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The design of the new QX80 is bold enough to hold your attention but doesn't veer into the garish. It features the latest interpretation of Infiniti's Artistry in Motion design language, highlighted by a large double-arch front grille inspired by bamboo forests.

Twin-turbo power
The 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine under the hood of a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's twin-turbo V6.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Under the hood is a 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 that produces 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. It replaces the previous generation's naturally aspirated V8. The VR series V6 is velvety smooth and feels eager to deliver its power.

My QX80 Luxe test car boasts EPA fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined.

Air suspension
The left side of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car came with an electronic air suspension system. The suspension can be lowered by 1.2 inches to improve aerodynamics while driving and 2.8 inches for easier ingress and egress. In off-road mode, it can be raised 2.1 inches over its normal ride height to help clear obstacles.

Digital driver's cockpit
Four photos show the steering wheel, digital instrument display, and HUD in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.
The QX80's steering wheel and instrument display.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In front of the driver is a 14.3 digital instrument display and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. The high-quality configurable gauge display is augmented by an optional head-up display.

New infotainment system
The 14.3-inch infotainment screen in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's 14.3-inch infotainment screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The QX80's 14.3-inch touchscreen is equipped with Nissan/Infiniti's latest InTouch infotainment system, which is elegantly designed and easy to navigate. The system features built-in Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.

Comfortable driver's seat
The tan leather front seats in a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Infiniti's tan leather-upholstered seats were soft, supportive, and offered great adjustability. However, the heated and ventilated driver's seat in my test car did not have the optional massage function, although the passenger seat did.

Luxurious second row
Three photos show the second-row captain's chairs, center console, and rear cabin climate controls in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's second-row captain's chair.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

QX80s also come standard with the second-row captain's chairs. The QX80's second-row seats are heated, power-operated, and come with a solid 39-inch legroom.

Second-row passengers also have access to their own climate controls and a handful of USB sockets. The top tier Autograph trim comes with massaging seats.

Spacious third row
The tan leather, three-person third-row bench seat in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's third row.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Third-row passengers have a generous 32.9-inch legroom, roughly the same amount of space you get in coach on a plane. The 60/40 split third-row bench comfortably accommodates two adults, but things get tight if you try to squeeze three people back there.

Panoramic Moonroof
The panoramic power moonroof in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's panoramic power moonroof.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

All QX80s come with a panoramic glass moonroof.

Expansive cargo room.
Four photos show the flexible cargo space in a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Open the liftgate, and you'll find a stout 22.3 cubic feet of cargo space. With the third row folded, cargo space expands to 59 cubic feet. Fold down the second row, and you'll get a cavernous 101 cubic feet of room.

There's a small underfloor storage area behind the third row.

Remote start
The key fob of a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV on its center console armrest.
The QX80's key fob.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

All QX80s come with remote engine start, which is activated by pressing the "curved arrow" on its key fob.

Klipsch premium audio
A Klipsch speaker on the passenger side A-pillar in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's Klipsch sound system.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My QX80 Luxe test car came with a sweet-sounding, 14-speaker, 600-watt Klipsch audio system. Higher-tier Sensory and Autograph models get an even more powerful, 1,200-watt, 24-speaker Klipsch premium audio system. Autograph models even get stylish metal-trimmed speakers built into their front headrests.

Invisible hood view
The invisible hood view on the front camera of a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
Invisible Hood View

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The QX80's camera system includes a new invisible hood view that allows the driver to see what is immediately in front of and underneath the front of the vehicle. This feature is great for squeezing into tight parking spots or even when off-roading.

Around view monitor
The 3D Around View Monitor in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's 3D Around View Monitor

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The QX80 comes standard with a 3D Around View Monitor system, which is handy for maneuvering in tight spaces. It also has a new three-dimensional spin feature that lets you see the vehicle's surroundings from eight pre-selected angles.

Towing
The left rear corner of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The QX80 is rated to tow up to an impressive 8,500 lbs with an integrated class IV tow-hitch and seven-pin wiring harness.

The SUV also comes with a special drive mode geared for towing, while its rearview camera and blind spot warning are designed to assist with hitching up a trailer and ensure safe driving while trailering.

Easy cargo loading
Two photos show the lowered rear end of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV with the rear lift gate opened and the panel of electric controls in the rear cargo compartment.
The QX80's lowered ride height for cargo loading.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Infiniti's flagship SUV comes standard with its smart handsfree liftgate that activates by kicking your leg under the rear bump. Once the liftgate is open, you can lower the height of the vehicle by 2.8 inches to make loading cargo easier.

Safety tech
The front of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The QX80 comes standard with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology. You can upgrade to ProPilot Assist 2.1, which allows drivers to take their hands off the steering in certain highway driving conditions.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I'm a pilot flying a DC-10 fire bomber to battle the LA fires. This is what I've seen — and this is what needs to stop.

Captain RK Smithley of 10Tanker Ship 912 standing in front of DC-10 Tanker Ship 914 at San Bernardino Airport.
10Tanker Captain RK Smithley poses in front of one of the DC-10 aircraft assisting with fighting wildfires near Los Angeles.

RK Smithley/10Tanker

  • Captain RK Smithley flies McDonnell Douglas DC-10 fire bombers for New Mexico-based 10Tanker.
  • Smithley dropped red fire retardant over the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles.
  • Mountainous terrain, winds, busy air traffic, and drones have complicated the mission.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Captain RK Smithley, a pilot flying McDonnell Douglas DC-10 widebody airliners converted into tanker planes for a New Mexico-based company called 10Tanker. The DC-10 is one of dozens of aircraft assisting in fighting the California wildfires near Los Angeles. His words have been edited for length and clarity.

I'm a third-generation ground firefighter who ended up in the air fighting fire, so my career has come full circle.

Starting at age 16, I spent 16 years as a volunteer firefighter in southwest Pennsylvania, where I'm from, before I became a pilot. I flew for World Airways in these same McDonnell Douglas DC-10s for 10 years and another 15 years in the MD-11, which is basically a modern version of the DC-10.

We're the biggest tanker fighting the California wildfires

10Tanker McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Ship 912 dropping fire retardant fighting the Eaton Fire on January 13, 2025.
10Tanker DC-10 Ship 912 dropping red fire retardant over the Eaton Fire near Los Angeles.

China News Service/China News Service via Getty Images

To fight the California fires, 10Tanker has four DC-10s and two β€” ships 912 and 914 β€” here in San Bernardino at the old Norton Air Force Base. I'm on Ship 912. The DC-10 is a capable airframe for our size, at 420,000 pounds. We're dropping 85,000 pounds of fire retardant on our target.

It's a very good airplane for what we're doing β€” we're the largest tool in the Forest Service's arsenal because we're the biggest tanker out here.

January is an odd time for wildfires in California

This fire is unprecedented. In 10 years of doing this, I've never flown fire in the United States in January. Working fires in January usually means we're in Australia, Mexico, and Chile.

We're in the off-season. That's why all four of our DC-10s aren't here; the other two are in maintenance. Typically, we park our airplanes in October or November, and we'll do recurrent annual training in February and March before the first airplanes go out on contract in mid to late March.

We're one part of a large team

There are different contract tankers that fight fires. We're all on the same team, from the little single-engine tanker carrying 700 hundred gallons to us big ones carrying 9,400 gallons, and all the stuff in between.

I can't stress enough how much of an orchestrated team effort it is. We work as a team with the tanker base, with the mechanics who keep us rolling, the air traffic controllers to get us out there, the guys fueling the airplane, and all those retardant loaders. Some airplanes out here are what they call "initial attack qualified," which means they can go out with just aerial supervision orbiting over top, but we in the DC-10 have to have lead aircraft that we follow to guide us on the drops.

But at the end of the day, the real heroes are the guys and gals we're helping β€” the firefighters on the ground. They're the ones that we're there to support to the best of our ability so that they can help protect lives and property.

A 10Tanker McDonnell Douglas DC-10 water bomber drop red fire retardant over flames in Topanga Canyon during Palisades wildfire in Topanga, Los Angeles, California, on January 10, 2024.
A 10Tanker DC-10 drops fire retardant over Topanga Canyon near Los Angeles.

Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

The 10Tanker flies a very specific mission

It's not as simple as flying over the fire and pushing a button and all the stuff comes out.

Helicopters are generally dropping water to directly attack the fires, but air tankers β€” or fire bombers as I like to call them β€” are designed to carry fire retardant, which is designed to build walls around fires to stop or at least slow down the fire so that the ground firefighters can get in there and get things under control. The retardant is colored red so that we can see it build lines and change angles on it.

We start our days at 7 a.m. β€” basically sunrise β€” at which time the airplane is prepped, ready, and fueled to go. How many flights we can wedge in between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. depends on how far the fire is from the base, and how much daylight you have.

We flew four missions on Friday to the Palisades and six on Saturday. The record for 10Tanker is about 11 runs in a day, with a 20-minute reload time in between flights.

LA's weather and geography have been a challenge

These fires have been bad not only because of the destruction and the wind, but also because we're fighting fire while wedged into tight air space between the LAX, Van Nuys, Burbank, and Santa Monica airports.

The Palisades fire is around 24,000 acres; I've worked 300,000 and 400,000 acre fires that were massive compared to this one. But the destruction and air space and the 60 to 80 MPH winds kind of made this a cataclysmic event. Entire neighborhoods and towns burned until the winds died down enough for us to get in there and get to work. It's been a terrible situation.

We're threading needles, like going straight down the side of a mountain. The DC-10 is very capable; we yank and bank it around like a fighter. If we were flying passengers, these maneuvers would be considered an emergency descent.

If drones fly, we can't

Drones have been a big problem here in California. "If drones fly, we can't" is an axiom we use in aerial firefighting. Normally a drone will shut down an aerial firefighting effort.

At one point, we moved to a different section of the fire to get away from them so that we could continue to help save lives and property, along with the work that firefighters on the ground are doing to get this thing under control. We had a drone come sailing past our left wing on Saturday; the Super Scooper air tanker from Montreal got a hole punched into its wing because a drone ran into it.

The drones have to stop because they're jeopardizing our lives and safety in the fire traffic area. It's unacceptable. Get the drones out of there so we can do our jobs.

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I drove a $27,000 Chevrolet Trax. These 15 features show why it's a small, cheap SUV done right

The left front corner of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Chevrolet Trax subcompact crossover SUV is the most affordable model in the GM's lineup.
  • I recently drove a 2025 Trax in range-topping 2RS trim.
  • I was impressed by its strong feature content, attractive design, and great value.

The Chevrolet Trax is not only the most affordable model in the Chevy lineup but also the lowest-priced model offered by General Motors in the US.

I recently reviewed a 2025 Trax 2RS with an as-tested price of $27,085. I was impressed by the its strong slate of features, competitive pricing, and attractive styling.

The subcompact SUV, which launched in 2024, competes with the Toyota Corolla Cross, Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Kona, and its corporate cousin, the Buick Envista.

Here are 15 features that show why the Trax is such a compelling economy SUV.

Athletic looks
Two photos show the left front and left rear of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Trax features a muscular and athletic design with broad shoulders that GM says is inspired by the big brother, the Chevrolet Blazer.

The design gives the impression that the Trax is bigger and wider than it actually is. I think it looks terrific.

Great value
The left side of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Chevrolet Trax comes in five versions, with the base LS trim starting at $20,400. The range-topping 2RS and Activ trims start at $24,300.

Freight fees, a sunroof, and optional driver assistance tech pushed the as-tested price of my Korean-made Trax 2RS test car to $27,085.

Three-cylinder power
The 1.2-liter, turbocharged three-cylinder engine under the hood of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Trax's 1.2-liter, turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

All versions of the Trax are powered by a 1.2-liter, turbocharged, direct-injected Ecotec three-cylinder engine that produces 137 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque.

The turbo three, shared with the Buick Envista, is mated to a shiftable six-speed automatic transmission driving only the front wheels.

The engine has enough juice to tackle daily errands around town but can feel overmatched when the vehicle is loaded with passengers or cargo.

My 2RS test car boasts solid EPA fuel economy ratings of 28 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined.

Sensibly designed cabin
Three photos show the front dash, center console, and sunroof in a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Chevrolet Trax's cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Trax's cabin is intuitively designed with decent material quality. The Chevrolet Trax is a great example of delivering an interior on a budget without it feeling cheap. It would be a stretch to call the interior luxurious or premium, but it also doesn't punish you for being frugal.

Interior quality is good, and there are plenty of soft-touch materials in the high-contact area. The red turbine-design air vents that felt out of place in the pricier Blazer EV worked well here to add a pop of color and visual appeal to the cabin.

Large infotainment screen
Three photos show satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and the backup camera display on the 11-inch infotainment screen in a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS.
The Trax's infotainment system.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car came with an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen. The Trax's infotainment system has fairly limited features, but what it does have is very intuitive to use.

Lower trims get a smaller eight-inch screen.

There's standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as a backup camera.

Heated steering wheel
The flat bottom steering wheel in a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Trax's flat-bottom steering wheel.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Trax 2RS comes with a stylish heated flat-bottom steering wheel.

Digital instrument display
The eight-inch digital gauge cluster in front of the steering wheel in a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Trax's eight-inch digital instrument display.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Trax comes standard with a traditional analog gauge cluster, but higher-end models come with an eight-inch digital instrument display.

Steering wheel audio control
The multimedia control button on the back of the steering of a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Trax's steering wheel audio buttons.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

As with most recent GM models, the Trax comes with handy audio controls on the back of the steering wheels.

Remote engine start
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV's key fob on its center console arm rest.
The Trax's key fob.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car came with remote engine start, which activates by pressing the "curved arrow" on the Chevy key fob.

The feature is also available on lower trim levels but as part of an optional convenience package.

Roomy rear seats
Three photos show the rear seats and rear seat USB plugs in a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Trax's rear seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Trax offers an impressive amount of room for a subcompact crossover. With 38.7 inches of legroom, the offers 2.5 inches more than the Mazda CX-30 and six inches more than the Toyota Corolla Cross.

Rear seat passengers also have access to dedicated USB-A and USB-C plugs.

Evotex seats
The black evotex front seats with red accents in a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Trax's black Evotex front seats with red accents.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car comes with comfortable RS-branded Evotex faux leather upholstered seats. Lower trims have traditional cloth seats.

Stylish alloy wheels
The 19-inch machined alloy wheel on the left front of a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.
The Trax's 19-inch black painted machined alloy wheels.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My 2RS trim test car came with optional 19-inch black-painted machined aluminum wheels. The base Trax LS has 17-inch steel wheels, while all other trims have 17-, 18-, or 19-inch aluminum wheels.

Spare tire
The spare tire of a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV is stored under the rear cargo floor.
The Trax's spare tire.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Spare tires are becoming increasingly rare these days, especially in lower-priced vehicles where the carmaker is trying to keep weight and cost under control. So I appreciate Chevy for making the decision to offer them instead of giving us a can of fix-a-flat.

Standard safety tech
The left front of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Trax 2RS comes standard with the Chevy Safety Assist, which includes key features such as forward collision alert, lane keep assist, Intellibeam headlights, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking.

Adaptive cruise control requires an extra Driver Confidence Package.

Good cargo capacity
Two photos show the rear cargo compartment of a red 2025 Chevrolet Trax 2RS SUV with the rear seats up and with the rear seats folded.
The Trax's cargo compartment.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Behind the rear seats, the Trax boasts a formidable 25.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The Trax's 60/40 split rear bench can fold nearly flat to expand cargo room to 54.1 cubic feet.

Read the original article on Business Insider

DOT goes after 2 more airlines over delayed flights

Southwest Airlines plane on the runway at Love Field in Dallas, TX
Southwest Airlines caused 90% of the delays on flights between Chicago Midway and Oakland, California during a five-month period in 2022, prosecutors said.

HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

  • The Department of Transportation sued Southwest Airlines, accusing it of selling flights with unrealistic schedules.
  • Southwest operated chronically delayed flights on two routes in 2022, the DOT said.
  • The agency also announced a $650,000 fine against Frontier Airlines for the same infraction.

The US Department of Transportation filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines, accusing the carrier of selling flights with unrealistic schedules that operated chronically late.

According to the DOT, Southwest Airlines caused 90% of the delays on flights between Chicago Midway and Oakland, California, and between Baltimore and Cleveland, Ohio, during a five-month period in 2022. These delays resulted in 180 flight disruptions for passengers, the agency said in a release.

The department called the practice of selling chronically delayed flights with unrealistic schedules an "unfair and deceptive" way to capture business from competitors.

The DOT considers a flight chronically delayed if it operates at least 10 times a month and arrives more than 30 minutes late over 50% of the time.

The agency also announced a $650,000 fine to be paid by Frontier Airlines for similarly behind-schedule operations on three routes between St. Thomas and Orlando, Atlanta and Phoenix, and Orlando and Houston during 2022 and 2023.

The department said half of Frontier's $650,000 fine would be paid to the US Treasury. The remaining $325,000 will be suspended if the airliner does not operate any chronically delayed flights over the next three years.

Frontier Airlines declined to comment.

Earlier this month, JetBlue was hit with a $2 million fine for chronic delays.

DOT did not immediately respond to questions about why Southwest was sued while the other airlines were fined.

In a statement, a Southwest spokesperson said the airline is "disappointed that the DOT chose to file a lawsuit over two flights that occurred more than two years ago.

"Any claim that these two flights represent an unrealistic schedule is simply not credible when compared with our performance over the past 15 years," they added.

The spokesperson added that Southwest has operated more than 20 million flights without other infractions since the DOT's chronically delayed flight policy was enacted in 2009.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Toyota's North American employees are the latest to be ordered back to the office

A 2025 Toyota 4Runner in Heritage Blue
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner.

Toyota

  • Toyota's North American employees have been recalled back to the office starting in September.
  • Salaried employees will be required to be in the office from Monday through Thursday.
  • Toyota employs more than 64,000 people in North America.

Many of Toyota's North American employees are being recalled back to the office Monday through Thursday starting in September.

Bloomberg first reported on the move. A spokesperson for the Japanese automaker confirmed the news to Business Insider but offered no further details.

Employees will be allowed to work from home on Fridays "subject to business needs," the outlet reported.

Toyota is the latest corporate giant to order employees back to the office. Amazon, AT&T, Boeing, and Salesforce have all recently issued to return to office requirements for their employees.

Toyota employs more than 64,000 people in North America in 14 factories, as well as in design, engineering, and corporate offices.

The automaker sold more than 2.3 million Lexus and Toyota-branded cars, trucks, and SUVs in the US in 2024, up 3.7 percent from 2023.

Are you a Toyota employee affected by the news? If so, reach out to this reporter at [email protected].

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove the high-performance version of Hyundai's Ioniq 5 EV. It's like driving a rally car — until the battery runs out.

The right front corner of an orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N high performance EV parked on the street.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in "Soultronic Orange" paint.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the new high-performance version of the compact EV SUV.
  • I was impressed by the Ioniq 5 N's retro rally car styling, supercar performance, and advanced tech.
  • The Ioniq 5 N falls short on range.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 received a warm reception upon its debut in 2022. The compact EV SUV impressed with its daring styling, comfy cabin, and quick charging.

This year, Hyundai launched a new high-performance variant called the Ioniq 5 N to compete against the likes of the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and Tesla Model Y Performance.

I recently spent a week driving a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N AWD in an eye-catching 'Soultronic Orange' paint job.
The left rear corner of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV parked on the street.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in Soultronic Orange.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

I was impressed by the Ioniq 5 N's retro rally car looks, supercar performance, and advanced driving and infotainment tech.

I was disappointed with the high-performance Hyundai's limited EV range.

My test car came to $67,685.
The left front corner of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV parked on the street.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in Soultronic Orange.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The base 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 starts at $42,500, while the Ioniq 5 N starts at $66,100.

Freight fees and floor mats pushed the as-tested price for my test car to $67,685.

The N builds on the Ioniq 5's daring, futuristic looks.
Three photos show the left front, right front, and rear of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV.
The Ioniq 5 N's styling.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Despite being labeled an SUV, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a hot hatchback in the truest sense, evoking classic rally racers from the 80s and early 90s like the Lancia Delta Integrale.

The N's revised front fascia features aerodynamic elements like wings and active air flaps for improved cooling. Out back, the N is equipped with a large spoiler up top and a diffuser that protrudes from the bumper to optimize airflow.

Compared to the standard Ioniq 5, the N is about an inch lower, two inches wider at the bottom due to wider tires, and over three inches longer due to the rear diffuser.

The N gets upgraded 21-inch wheels with sticky 275mm wide Pirelli P-Zero tires.
The 21-inch N-Exclusive forged alloys on the left front of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV.
The Ioniq 5 N's 21-inch wheels.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Behind the rims are massive 15.75-inch front brakes and 14.2-inch units in the rear.

Under the passenger cabin is an 84 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
A cutaway image of Hyundai's E-GMP dedicated EV platform showing the skateboard battery pack and drive motors.
Hyundai's E-GMP dedicated EV platform.

Hyundai

The Ioniq 5 N is built on Hyundai's Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which is also shared with Genesis GV60 and Kia EV9.

Ioniq 5 N can charge to 80% in 18 minutes.
The right side of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV plugged into a DC fast charger.
The Ioniq 5 N plugged into a DC fast charger.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

According to Hyundai, the Ioniq 5 N can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes at a rate of over 250kw. With a 240V level-two charger, its batteries can charge from 10% to 100% in about 7 hours.

The SUV also has bi-directional charging capability, which means it can power small appliances outside the vehicle.

The EPA rates the Ioniq 5 N for just 221 miles of range. Due to cold weather, I struggled to get 205 miles out of a charge.

The Ioniq 5 N's biggest shortcoming is its lack of range. The regular Ioniq 5 with a similar battery pack is rated for up to 318 miles in rear-wheel drive guise and 290 miles with all-wheel drive.

(High-performance EVs tend to be rated for shorter ranges, due to the power required for faster acceleration or more power.)

Unlike other vehicles built on the platform, there's no frunk under the hood.
The electronics under the front hood of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV.
No frunk under the Ioniq 5 N's hood.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Instead, you'll find a plastic lid that hides batteries and electronics from view.

The Ioniq 5 N features 'N Grin Boost' feature that unleashes an extra dose of power
The steering wheel in a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV.
The Ioniq 5 N's steering wheel.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

By pushing the orange "NGB" button on the steering wheel, the Ioniq 5 N's total power output jumps from 601 to 641 horsepower in 10-second bursts.

The Ioniq 5 N drives like a real-world simulation of an old-school rally car.
The right front corner of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV parked on the street.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in Soultronic Orange.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Ioniq 5 N is a dream to drive. It takes everything that's wonderful about high-performance EVs, instant torque, and mind-bending acceleration and stuffs it into a package with the visceral pleasures of an internal combustion rally car.

As a result, it all feels slightly surreal. The Ioniq 5 N is a dual-motor EV, but when the right performance settings are engaged, a tachometer appears, and the car revs like it has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood.

Launch the Ioniq 5 N, and the paddle shifter allows you to work your way through the gears by simulating an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

It delivers a simulated ICE experience like no other vehicle on the market.

Hyundai claims the 4,900-lb SUV can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.25 seconds and reach a top speed of 162 mph.

The cabin is a prime example of utilitarian excellence.
Three photos show the front dash, center console, and center stack in a  2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV.
The Ioniq 5 N's front dash.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Despite the flashy exterior, you'll find a cabin that's anything but flashy. Instead, the focus here is to make the Ioniq 5 N easy to live with as a daily driver.

The ergonomics and quality are both excellent. There's loads of storage space and charging options. I also love the folding cup holder, which tuck out of the way for additional storage.

The Ioniq 5 N's special lightweight sport bucket seats come with light-up "N" logos.
Three photos show the Alcantara lightweight sport bucket front seats and light-up N logo in a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N's front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The heated and ventilated faux leather bucket seats proved exceptionally supportive in the corners. However, they are manually adjusted, which can be a bit of an annoyance when getting into and out of the vehicle.

In front of the driver is a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel brand with the logo of Hyundai's N performance division.
Three photos show the steering wheel, digital instrument display, and gear selector of a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV,
The Ioniq 5 N's steering wheel, instrument display, and gear selector.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Instead of a traditional gauge cluster, the Ioniq 5 N comes with a configurable digital instrument display.

The Ioniq 5's shifter is located on the right side of the steering column, where the ignition key once lived. It's weirdly placed but oddly intuitive to use.

Atop the center stack is a 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Four photos show the Hyundai infotainment system, surround-view camera, and Apple CarPlay on the 12.3-inch infotainment screen in a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
The Ioniq 5 N's infotainment screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The touchscreen runs the latest version of Hyundai's corporate infotainment system, which is easy to navigate and loaded with features.

The screen is also home to the Ioniq 5 N's many performance features menus as well as its surround view camera.

The Ioniq 5 N comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The rear cabin boasts a stout 39.9 inches of legroom, on par with Hyundai's flagship Palisade SUV.
Two photos show the black Alcantara, H-Tex rear seats, and rear cabin USB-C sockets in a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV.
The Ioniq 5 N's rear seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Rear seat occupants get their own dedicated USB sockets and AC vents mounted on the B-pillars by the doors.

Open the smart hands-free power liftgate, and you'll find a hearty 26.1 cubic feet of cargo space.
Three photos show the cargo space in a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV behind the rear seats, with the rear seats folded and under the cargo floor.
The Ioniq 5 N's cargo space.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Fold down the 60/40 split rear bench, and cargo capacity expands to 59.3 cubic feet.

The back of the Ioniq 5 N also has a small underfloor storage nook. That's where you'll find its charging cables and tire inflation kit.

The Ioniq 5 N comes standard with pretty much every piece of safety tech in Hyundai's arsenal.
The left side of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV parked on the street.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Standard features include a surround-view monitor, blind spot view monitor, blind spot collision avoidance, navigation-based smart cruise control, lane-following assist, and lane-keeping assist.

My verdict: The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a modern high-performance EV with the soul of an old-school rally car.
The rear end of a Soultronic Orange 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV parked on the street.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in Soultronic Orange.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Driving the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N feels like the steak scene from the Matrix. My brain tells me this Soultronic Orange Hyundai looks and sounds like a snarling turbocharged rally car from the 80s; Stomp on the gas, and it accelerates like a bat out of hell, too.

But I also know it's all fake. There's no boosted four-banger under the hood and the sound is coming from speakers

At the end of the day, though, I don't care. Ignorance is bliss because I enjoyed every second I had behind the wheel of the Ioniq 5 N.

My only gripe is that the battery runs out of juice before I am ready to go home.

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Delta is cashing in on the premium travel boom as flyers opt for luxury

Delta Air Lines Airbus A321 prepares for takeoff at Los Angeles International Airport during the Thanksgiving Day holiday on November 24, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
A Delta Airbus A321.

AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

  • Delta reported fourth-quarter earnings that topped analyst expectations on Friday.
  • Revenue from premium seats was a major bright spot for the airline.
  • Shares soared more than 9% in trading following the announcement.

People are clamoring for premium air travel, and Delta Air Lines is cashing in on that demand.

The airline reported fourth-quarter earnings and revenue on Friday, both of which beat Wall Street estimates. Massive growth in premium seat sales helped send shares up more than 9% in trading Friday.

Revenue from Delta's premium cabins, which include Delta One, Domestic First Class, and Delta Premium Select, increased 8% to over $5.2 billion in the quarter, versus a 2% growth in its main cabin.

Despite taking up a small fraction of an aircraft's cabin, premium seats generated $20.5 billion in revenue during 2024, just $4 billion shy of the amount brought in by economy.

For 2024, Delta reported $61.6 billion in total revenue, up 6% over 2023.

The DeltaOne international business class cabin on board a Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-900neo
The DeltaOne cabin on board an Airbus A330-900neo

Chris Rank/Delta Air Lines

Delta President Glen Hauenstein said baby boomers have played a big role in driving that premium demand.

"Being a boomer myself, I'm proud of us driving our premium results," Hauenstein said during the company's earnings call on Friday. He expects younger generations to account for more premium demand as the older generation of consumers ages out.

"The newer generation is wealthier, and we have a bigger share of that generation. So excited not only for today as the boomers are driving it but excited for tomorrow as we pass it on to the next generations," Hauenstein said.

In recent years, Delta has introduced updated premium cabins and opened new and expanded Delta SkyClub lounges. The airline also recently opened its first DeltaOne business-class lounge in New York.

Americans are clamoring to go to Europe

Demand for international travel gave Delta a boost during the final quarter of 2024.

Transatlantic revenue increased by 6% despite a 2% capacity cut. Revenue from transpacific flights increased by 19%, but that required an outsize 24% capacity increase.

Collage of the Delta One Lounge check-in: main entrance, food, and drink station with pictures of seasonal trees above, concierge desks with beige chairs, and bag drop with purple backsplash.
Inside the new Delta One Lounge at New York's John F Kennedy International Airport.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

It looks like the strong demand for transatlantic travel will continue into 2025. Hauenstein said Americans' continued desire to travel to Europe during the early months of this year is due to the strong US dollar and will not compromise demand for flights this summer.

"You go to a restaurant in New York and then go to a restaurant in Europe, you'll see a vast difference in the bill," he said. "This is a great time to travel to Europe. People are seeing that."

Delta expects first-quarter 2025 revenue to be 7 to 9% higher than the same period in 2024.

Delta's lucrative credit card partnerships continued their hot streak.

The airline earned $2 billion in the quarter by selling frequent flyer miles to American Express to be offered as rewards card holders. That's up 14% from the same period in 2023.

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I drove a $42,000 Mazda CX-50. These 14 features made it one of my favorite hybrid SUVs.

The left front of corner of a gray 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus compact SUV parked in front of a house.
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Machine Gray Metallic.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is a compact hybrid crossover SUV that's all-new for 2025.
  • I recently drove one in top-spec "Premium Plus" trim.
  • I was impressed by the peppy hybrid powertrain, athletic looks, and smartly designed cabin.

I recently reviewed a Mazda CX-50 Hybrid in top-spec Premium Plus trim, with an as-tested price of $42,065. I was impressed by the SUV's efficient hybrid powertrain, athletic looks, and smartly designed cabin.

The base ICE 2025 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Select starts at $30,300, while the most affordable hybrid variant is $33,970. My Alabama-built Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus test car starts at $40,050.

14 features stood out to me and helped make the CX-50 one of the best compact hybrid SUVs that I've tested so far.

Athletic looks
Two photos show the left front corners and right rear corner of a gray 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus SUV.
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CX-50 might be the best-looking SUV in the segment. It features the latest derivative of Mazda's signature Kodo design language, marrying its traditional curves with a more rugged, squared-off athletic look.

Toyota hybrid system
The Toyota-sourced hybrid powertrain under the hood of a gray 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus compact SUV.
The Toyota Hybrid System under the CX-50's hood.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CX-50 Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with a 118-horsepower electric motor up front, a 54-horsepower unit on the rear axle, and a 1.59-kWh battery pack.

The total output is 219 horsepower.

The engine and hybrid system are sourced from Toyota. It's the exact same powertrain found under the hood of the rival RAV4 Hybrid.

Standard AWD
The rear end of a gray 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

As with all Mazda SUVs, the CX-50 Hybrid comes standard with all-wheel drive. It is equipped with an e-AWD system that uses a rear-axle electric motor instead of a traditional physical linkage.

Great fuel economy
The left front corner of a gray 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus compact SUV parked by a field.
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid in Machine Gray Metallic.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car's EPA fuel economy figures are 39 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined.

That's 10mpg better in combined fuel economy than the most efficient ICE CX-50.

Fun to drive
A passenger-side view of the front cabin of a 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus compact SUV.
The CX-50's front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Compact hybrid SUVs are generally designed to be sensible, fuel-efficient transportation for the masses.

The CX-50 Hybrid is certainly that, but it also brings a good dose of Mazda zoom-zoom to the party. It's the most fun I've had driving a small hybrid SUV.

The steering felt well-weighted and offered a decent amount of feedback for a vehicle of its type. The Mazda's suspension is a bit stiffer than most of its rivals, which helps it approach corners with great composure, but it does compromise ride comfort a tad.

The hybrid powertrain delivers peppy performance, especially in Power mode, thanks to the ample torque from its electric motors.

As in other applications of the Toyota Hybrid system, intrusive engine noise can be problematic, especially under hard acceleration.

Premium cabin
Three photos show the front dash, center console, and center stack of a 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus SUV.
The CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CX-50's cabin is simply terrific. Material and build quality are top-notch, while its overall design exudes a truly premium feel.

The smartly located audio controls on the center console are easy to reach for both the driver and passengers.

Attractive leather upholstery
The red leather front seats with black accents in a gray 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus compact SUV.
The CX-50's front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My CX-50 Premium Plus test car featured beautiful red leather upholstered seats with black accent stitching.

Updated infotainment system
Four photos show the 10.25-inch infotainment screen on the front dash and the rotary controller on the center console of a 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus compact SUV.
The CX-50 infotainment system.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CX-50 comes standard with a crisp-looking 10.25-inch touchscreen.

The screen is only a touchscreen when Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are initiated. In all other instances, the system requires the use of the cumbersome rotary controller on the center console.

Fortunately, Carplay and Android Auto are standard on all trim levels.

The CX-50 Hybrid is equipped with a standard backup camera.

Digital driver cockpit
Three photos show the steering wheel, instrument cluster, and head-up display in a 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus compact SUV.
The CX-50 Hybrid's driver's cockpit.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In front of the driver is an advanced cockpit with a stylish heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. The CX-50's instrument cluster features a pair of analog gauges flanking a configurable central 7-inch LCD display that's designed to mimic a circular gauge.

My test car also came with an optional color head-up display.

Panoramic Moonroof
The panoramic glass moonroof in a 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus compact SUV with red leather seats.
The CX-50 Hybrid's moonroof.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Premium and Premium Plus trim CX-50 Hybrids can be had with this large power sliding panoramic glass moonroof.

Comfy rear cabin
Two photos show the red leather rear seats and rear AC vents in a gray 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus SUV.
The rear cabin of a 2025 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

With 37.8 inches of legroom, the CX-50 doesn't have the most spacious rear cabin. However, the leather rear bench seat offers ample room for two adults.

Rear seat passengers have dedicated AC vents and USB sockets.

Spare tire
The spare tire and stereo subwoofer stored under the rear cargo compartment floor of a 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus compact SUV.
The CX-50 Hybrid spare tire and stereo subwoofer.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The CX-50 is one of the rare hybrid SUVs in this segment with a spare tire. In many cases, the underfloor space traditionally occupied by the spare tire is repurposed for batteries or left empty to save costs or weight.

The spare tire shares the storage compartment with the subwoofer for the CX-50's stellar 12-speaker Bose audio system.

Expandable cargo compartment
Two photos show the cargo compartment in the back of a 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus compact SUV behind the rear seats and with the rear seats folded down.
The CX-50's cargo compartment.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Open the power liftgate, and you'll find 29.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. Fold the down rear seats, and cargo capacity expands to 56.3 cubic feet

Good standard safety tech
The front of a gray 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Even the entry-level CX-50 comes standard with important assistance tech, such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I drove a $99,000 Infiniti QX80. It's a high-tech Japanese alternative to the Escalade

The left front side of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Infiniti QX80 is a full-size luxury SUV.
  • I was impressed by its eye-catching looks, luxurious, high-tech cabin, and quiet ride.
  • Unfortunately, the new twin-turbo V6 didn't deliver the expected performance boost.

The Cadillac Escalade has remained America's most popular full-size luxury SUV for more than a decade, but rivals like the Jeep Wagoneer, Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX600h, and the all-new Infiniti QX80 are vying for attention.

The third-generation Infiniti QX80 debuted as a 2025 model with a new twin-turbo V6 powertrain, updated technology, and enhanced chassis.

I recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe in a radiant Coulis Red paint job.
The right rear corner of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked by a field.
The QX80 is based on Nissan's new Patrol SUV, which is sold in the US as the Armada.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

I was impressed by the eye-catching looks, luxurious, high-tech cabin, and smooth ride.

Unfortunately, I felt a little let down by the big SUV's new twin-turbo V6 engine, which just did not deliver the boost in performance I expected.

My test car came to $99,195.
The right front corner of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The base rear-wheel-drive QX80 Pure starts at $82,450, while the top-spec Autograph 4WD variant starts at $110,595.

My lower-mid-tier four-wheel-drive Luxe trim test car starts at $92,650. Freight fees, upgraded paint, and a $3,300 driver's assistance tech package pushed the as-tested price to $99,000.

The QX80 looks terrific.
Two photos show the front and rear of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The design of the new QX80 is bold enough to hold your attention but doesn't veer into the garish. It features the latest interpretation of Infiniti's Artistry in Motion design language, highlighted by a large double-arch front grille inspired by bamboo forests.

The new QX80 is longer, taller, and wider than the model it replaces.
The left side of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

It can also tow an impressive 8,500 lbs.

My test car came with an electronic air suspension system.
A red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV with its lift gate open and air suspension lowered.
The QX80's with its air suspension lowered.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The suspension can be lowered 1.2 inches to improve aerodynamics while driving and 2.8 inches to help make it easier to load cargo. In off-road mode, it can be raised 2.1 inches over its normal ride height to help clear obstacles.

The QX80 is powered by a gutsy twin-turbocharged V6 engine.
The 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine under the hood of a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Under the hood is a 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 that produces 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.

My QX80 Luxe test car boasts EPA fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. I observed fuel economy in the 16mpg range during my time with the QX80.

This is a vehicle that could really use a hybrid or PHEV option.

While smooth and easy to drive, it's no speed demon.
The driver's seat in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked by a field.
The QX80's driver's seat.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Like its US counterparts, the QX80 is built on a truck-based body-on-frame platform, so it isn't quite as refined on the road as a car-based crossover.

Its cabin is quiet. The ride is smooth and comfortable, while the steering is responsive, albeit a bit numb in feel.

The engine is velvety smooth and feels eager to deliver its 450 ponies. However, the nine-speed automatic transmission is geared for fuel economy, which held back some of the performance potential.

In fact, the transmission seems reluctant to unleash the engine's power. You have to really stamp down hard on the gas pedal to get the transmission to kick down a few gears and go higher in the rev range.

Some vehicles accelerate effortlessly, but the QX80 feels like it does so against the wishes of its transmission.

According to Motor Trend, the QX80 does 0-60 in a quick 6.8 seconds.

The QX80's cabin is luxurious, roomy, and loaded with tech.
Four photos show the front dash, center stack touchscreen control panel, center console cupholders, wireless charger, and Klipsch speaker in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The new interior is a big step forward compared to the outgoing model. I was impressed by Infiniti's excellent mix of materials in the cabin and the quality of the fit and finish.

The dual 14.3-inch screen atop the front dash looked great. Unfortunately, the 9-inch touch control screen is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, it's a tidy way to organize a maze of controls, but it's far less intuitive to use than physical buttons would be.

Apart from that, interior ergonomics are solid, there's plenty of storage, and the standard 14-speaker audio system sounded great.

The leather upholstered seats were soft and supportive.
The tan leather front seats in a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The driver's seat in my test car did not have the optional massage function, although the passenger seat did.

In front of the driver is a 14.3 digital instrument display and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Four photos show the steering wheel, digital instrument display, and HUD in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.
The QX80's steering wheel and instrument display.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The high-quality configurable gauge display is augmented by an optional head-up display.

The QX80 is equipped with Nissan/Infiniti's latest InTouch infotainment system
Four photos show the 14.3-inch infotainment screen, navigation screen, and surround view monitors in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.
The QX80 comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The system in the QX80 is elegantly designed and a breeze to navigate. The 14.3-inch infotainment screen is also home to the QX80's around-view camera system that includes an invisible hood view for off-roading and parking in tight spaces.

All QX80s come with a panoramic glass moonroof.
The panoramic power moonroof in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's panoramic power moonroof.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car also came with an optional 64-color LED ambient lighting system.

QX80s also come standard with the second-row captain's chairs.
Three photos show the second-row captain's chairs, center console, and rear cabin climate controls in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's second-row captain's chairs. A split folding bench is available as an option.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The QX80's second-row seats are heated, power-operated, and come with a solid 39-inch legroom.

Second-row passengers also have access to their own climate controls and a handful of USB sockets.

Third-row passengers have a generous 32.9-inch legroom, roughly the same amount of space you get in coach on a plane.
The tan leather, three-person third-row bench seat in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's third row.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The third row comfortably accommodates two adults, but things get tight if you try to squeeze three people back there.

Open the motion-activated rear liftgate, and you'll find a stout 22.3 cubic feet of cargo space.
Four photos show the flexible cargo space in a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

With the third row folded, cargo space expands to 59 cubic feet. Fold down the second row, and you'll get a cavernous 101 cubic feet of room.

There's a small underfloor storage area behind the third row.

The QX80 comes standard with adaptive cruise control and lane centering technology.
The left side of the front cabin of a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's front dash.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

You can upgrade to ProPilot Assist 2.1, which allows drivers to take their hands off the steering in certain highway driving conditions.

My Verdict: The QX80 is a boldly styled luxury SUV that makes for an off-beat alternative to the Escalade.
The right side of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked by a field.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The previous version was a good luxury SUV during its prime. Unfortunately, its prime was 10 years ago. I knew this new QX80 would be better, but this is really impressive.

The 2025 Infiniti QX80 is boldly styled with great tech, a smooth V6 engine, and a luxurious cabin.

I like it.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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