There is something deeply satisfying about setting out across the Western Cape in a vehicle built to turn travel into experience rather than merely movement. The Mazda CX-60 AWD felt like the right companion for a journey that would take us from urban streets to winelands passes and into rugged mountains territory, allowing us to explore different terrains while noticing how seamlessly the car adapted to each environment. There are no limits to what you can achieve with the Mazda CX-60, but its real distinction lies in how naturally it integrates into the rhythm of a road trip, becoming part of the journey and not just the means of transporting through it.

Our drive began at Cape Town International Airport and took us straight into the CBD before sweeping through the Atlantic-edge suburbs of Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, Clifton, Sea Point, Green Point, Tamboerskloof and Higgovale. In these precincts, where hills, tight curves and short braking distances are common, the CX-60’s 2.5-litre engine stood out, producing 141 kW and 261 Nm of torque with confident delivery. Paired with its AWD powertrain, it gave us the reassuring feeling of grip and stability, especially around inclines and coastal turns. Even with varied driving demands, the fuel consumption remained impressive: just 4.9 litres per 100 km, reinforcing a sense of efficiency without requiring restraint.

Design plays a big role in how a vehicle is received in Cape Town’s more style-aware settings, and the CX-60 looks effortlessly at home. Its sleek exterior carries a bold Piano Black front grille, LED headlamps and 20-inch silver metallic alloy wheels that together strike a chord of sophistication and intent. Practical features such as the 360° view monitor and see through view proved invaluable throughout the journey, especially when navigating tight bayside parking or shifting light conditions along the coast. The panoramic sunroof added a sense of openness to the drive, framing the skyline and letting in the warmth of the Cape sun in a way that amplified both comfort and connection to the scenery.

After two days of urban and seaside navigation, we redirected toward Cape Farms and Paarl, and it was here that the CX-60 showed its second personality: comfortable long-distance cruiser. The seating ergonomics, supportive interior contours and generous legroom made extended time behind the wheel surprisingly easy on the body. The 570-litre load capacity proved its usefulness too, handling luggage, equipment and accumulated purchases with unmistakable ease. The sense of space inside the cabin is not merely visual, but deeply functional, giving the car a quietly luxurious atmosphere.

The most revealing stretch of the trip came as we left the vineyards and turned toward the Cederberg Mountains, where gravel roads and varying surfaces tested the CX-60’s adaptability. Engaging Mi-Drive’s off-road mode, we found the vehicle responded with composure. The AWD system distributed power smoothly while intelligent driver-assist features such as blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assistance and smart city brake assist worked subtly in the background. Safety technology can sometimes feel intrusive in modern cars, but here it felt like supportive intelligence, available when needed without interrupting the sense of command.

Inside the cabin, the technological experience complemented the driving rather than overshadowing it. The 12-inch centre display was consistently intuitive, the 360° see-through view monitor proved particularly useful in confined areas and the 12-speaker sound system balanced clarity with warmth. Features such as the hands-free lift-gate and Mazda radar cruise control were not merely conveniences—they were quality-of-life enhancers that quickly became part of the expected driving rhythm.

What ultimately makes the Mazda CX-60 memorable is its clean, purposeful approach to design. Minimalist does not mean bare; it means intentional. It reflects the Japanese principle of Kodo—where every texture, sound and gesture feels considered. This is evident from the gentle yet assertive ignition tone to the measured shift of the automatic drive shaft. The car does not demand appreciation; it earns it steadily, kilometre by kilometre, interaction by interaction.

Across the Western Cape’s contrasting terrains—from the edges of oceanfront postcodes to routes lined with vineyards and finally into wind-shaped mountain passages—the CX-60 repeatedly demonstrated that comfort, efficiency and capability can coexist harmoniously. It made each stage of the trip feel not only manageable, but genuinely enjoyable. It reminded us that a vehicle is not just a tool—it can be part of the memory.