Exploring the countryside in style and comfort in an eco-friendly SUV for a weekend adventure, Women Love Tech Editor Robyn Foyster took the flagship CX-60 e-Skyactiv PHEV, Mazda’s first production plug-in hybrid model, out for a spin.
The sun rises over Sydney’s Freshwater Beach, casting rays on the sparkling waves, but it’s not the sea I’m longing for, it’s a country adventure. And, I have the ideal companion for my journey: the new Mazda CX-60. This powerful eco-friendly SUV promises to make my road trip comfortable and memorable. It’s also timely as I’m planning to make the switch to an electric vehicle to do my bit for the environment and reduce fuel bills at the same time. So starting my research by trialling this new hybrid vehicle suits me just fine and I figure that you get the best of both worlds with this option, at least that’s what I plan to find out.
Starting Point: Freshwater Beach
My journey begins from Sydney’s Freshwater Beach in the northern beaches, known for its pristine sands and inviting waters. With our bags packed and the Mazda CX-60 ready to go; we set off, excited about the scenic drive ahead. The CX-60’s spacious interior, luxurious seats, and advanced driver personalization system make the initial leg of our trip a delight. As we drive through the city, the SUV’s plug-in hybrid system offers a quiet and smooth ride to the Hunter Valley, four hours away.
Leaving the City Behind
Soon, the bustling cityscape gives way to the Mooney Money Bridge, and I can feel my shoulders relaxing, particularly when we finally hit the rolling green hills and open fields of New South Wales. The Mazda CX-60 handles the transition effortlessly, its rear-biased AWD drive platform ensuring stability and dynamic handling on country roads. The turbocharged inline-six engine provides an exhilarating burst of power as we ascend winding roads, with the panoramic sunroof letting in the natural light and offering breathtaking views of the countryside.
Stopping for a Break
A few hours into our journey, we decide to take a break and stretch our legs. The Mazda CX-60’s 1500W AC socket in the boot comes in handy here, allowing us to power up our devices and enjoy an impromptu picnic at Burning Mountain Nature Reserve. The reserve contains Australia’s only naturally burning coal seam, and has a 4km return track which is on the challenging side, but made easier given the scenic views, and birdwatching.
Onward to Murrurundi
Refreshed and ready to continue, we set our sights back on Murrurundi up ahead, passing a few antique shops and the famed horse studs in the Upper Hunter region. The peacefulness of this leafy rural landscape was a stark contrast to the city’s hustle and bustle.
Murrurundi is a particularly quaint town with plenty to do from visiting the bushranger Ben Hall’s home to walking across a swinging bridge built before WW1. There’s also the aptly named Paradise Park which sits alongside an idyllic golf course surrounded by craggy overhanging rock formations reminiscent of scenes from Picnic at Hanging Rock. The drive to Murrurundi did not require any charging or refuelling which is a testament to the CX-60’s impressive fuel efficiency. The plug-in hybrid system delivers a combined fuel consumption of just 2.1L/100 km. But I did fill the car up with petrol in Murrurundi as the closest charging point was 30 minutes away and I also charged the car from the cottage where I stayed overnight.
Arriving at Our Destination
Known for its rich history and stunning natural surroundings, Murrurundi is the perfect endpoint for our journey. The town is well known for it’s friendly town folk and placed to visit such as Michael Reid’s art gallery. The Mazda CX-60 proved to be an exceptional travel companion, offering comfort, performance, and efficiency. I enjoyed using the latest tech innovations particularly the new safety features and the extra connectivity you can now expect in a new vehicle. That alone is a solid reason to upgrade my current car of ten years which now has outdated technology, affording less safety features you get in the latest Mazda.
The Journey’s End
From the SUV’s luxurious leather interior and advanced features to its powerful engine and eco-friendly design, the CX-60 made my trip so much more luxurious – and being a hybrid car means you don’t need to think too much about the next charging station.
Navigating country roads was fun in this vehicle, and a highlight over the weekend was a visit to a nearby sunflower farm which was in full bloom.
For more travel and motoring stories, stay tuned to womenlovetech.com, where adventure and innovation meet, but first check out some more features of the Mazda CX-60 including the stunning leather interior below.
Plug-in Hybrid: The CX-60 e-Skyactiv PHEV
The CX-60 e-Skyactiv PHEV provides a fully electric driving range of up to 76 km, which is more than double the average Australian daily commute of 32 km. It achieves a combined fuel consumption of just 2.1L/100 km, making it both efficient and eco-friendly. Charging the vehicle’s 17.8 kWh battery from 20% to 80% capacity takes approximately 90 minutes. The 1500W AC socket in the boot allows for charging or running electrical devices.
Performance and Engine Options
The CX-60 e-Skyactiv PHEV has a system output of 241 kW of power and 500 Nm of torque. It features a rear-biased AWD drive platform for dynamic handling and stability. Additionally, Mazda offers new turbocharged inline-six 48V MHEV petrol and diesel engine options for the CX-60.
Driver and Safety Features
The CX-60 introduces Mazda’s Driver Personalisation System, which adjusts the driving position based on the driver’s height for an ergonomic setup. It holds a five-star ANCAP safety rating, with high scores in child passenger protection and vulnerable road user protection.
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