Durban Tourism has made considerable strides in elevating the city into a polished travel hotspot, providing a wide range of activities. By keeping pace with international destination trends, the city provides visitors with unique experiences that showcase its stunning beaches, warm hospitality, delectable food, tropical climate, and diverse cultural and scenic landscapes. We set out to explore the distinctive attractions that set Durban apart, with heartfelt thanks to Volvo Car South Africa for enhancing our adventure by providing the XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid.

The excitement of driving from one city to another is unparalleled. There’s nothing like watching the scenery shift as you journey from town to town. For South Africans, local travel is a must-have on every bucket list. The XC60 Recharge facilitated our travels with its impressive combined peak outputs of 340 kW and 709 Nm, thanks to the turbo and supercharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, along with an enhanced electric motor on the rear axle. This makes it the most powerful XC60 yet, perfect for long-distance adventures.

The cabin of the car is the epitome of luxury, embracing Scandinavian minimalism with a touch of elegance through its ambient lighting and contemporary flair. We enjoyed the comfort of the ergonomically designed, easily adjustable, and heated seats, which allowed us to relax in the perfect seating position as we took in the scenic views, interacted with friendly locals, admired breathtaking natural landmarks, and savoured delicious South African cuisines. Additionally, with the rear seats up, the load compartment offered ample space for our four suitcases and a cabin bag, making our journey both comfortable and convenient.

The panoramic sunroof adds a spacious feel for rear occupants, enhancing the overall comfort of the vehicle.

The infotainment system, powered by Google, includes navigation and is remarkably user-friendly. All driving modes and other features are easily accessible through it. The real-time traffic information and automatic rerouting features significantly eased our journey, helping us reach our destinations more smoothly. Additionally, the adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic braking while reversing were extremely useful for our excursion, enhancing both safety and convenience on the road.

If a vehicle gets too close, the Volvo acts protectively, much like a best friend stepping in during a tough situation. The Volvo XC60 is equipped with six airbags and boasts an NCAP safety rating of five, ensuring top-tier safety. It comes standard with the Intellisafe Assist package, which includes pedestrian, cyclist, and large-animal detection, along with front and rear collision warnings with full automatic braking. Additionally, a lane-keeping aid enhances the safety features, making the Volvo XC60 a secure choice for any journey.

The fuel economy of the vehicle is quite reasonable. By driving gently in Hybrid mode, it’s possible to achieve impressive efficiency, with consumption as low as 3.3 litres per 100 kilometers. The car is equipped with an 18.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, which can be charged either through a cable or via regenerative braking, supporting a pure electric range of up to 81 kilometers. Additionally, it features an innovative one-pedal driving mode, similar to that of a fully electric vehicle, allowing the driver to bring the vehicle to a complete stop just by lifting off the accelerator. This adds both convenience and enhanced control.

During our extensive journey, we found that we didn’t need to stop frequently for breaks to stretch or refuel – the XC60 Recharge handled everything smoothly. Its comfort and coziness, combined with practical fuel economy, made our travel experience seamless and enjoyable.

The XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid is priced from R1,314,000.