Touching down at Cape Town International Airport, I was greeted by two spectacular sights. One familiar, the iconic outline of Table Mountain and the other, a glistening Range Rover Velar. Having previously owned the petrol version, I was eager to see how the hybrid would compare and ready to take it to three incredible destinations.
The P400e is a plug-in hybrid that combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor—the result: impressive combined fuel economy, paired with the unmistakable Velar design. Switching between petrol and electric is seamless and, surprisingly, there is no change to the vehicle’s signature sound.
The zero-emission range reaches up to 63 km, and after a 30-minute fast charge or 2.5 hours at home, the battery is ready to go. Regenerative braking also captures energy as you slow, recharging the battery as you drive. Fully charged, the Velar carried me off to explore two Western Cape destinations, both easily reachable on a single charge from the airport.
WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE HORIZON
Inspired by the vehicle’s silence, I was craving some quiet time. The oceanside hamlet of Scarborough was the perfect retreat. Our first luxury rental, Ocean’s Horizon, sits on the town’s highest street, offering grandstand views of the coastline.
Inside, the open-plan living space is thoughtfully designed. A fynbos garden borders the mountains at the rear, with direct access to scenic walks. The deck offers dining with the same impressive view, followed by the pool. Perhaps our favourite space: a lower garden section leading to a hot tub, where our first evening was spent watching a resplendent sunset.
With three en suite bedrooms accommodating six, 270 m2 of luxury spans three levels. The welcome book listed nearby eateries, but with a fully stocked kitchen, cooking was a dream, especially with a glass of the welcoming sparkling wine in hand. Scarborough Beach is just a two-minute drive, a pristine, expansive stretch that never feels crowded. Between the Atlantic waters, South African sunshine, and a mountain backdrop, it’s a space to truly soak in nature.
AT HOME IN THE WINELANDS
Refreshed, we headed east to Franschhoek, home to one of the Winelands’ most exciting new stays: Maison Cabriere. Owner Brett has transformed a former guesthouse into a stylish boutique hotel. Suites are nestled in lush gardens, just a minute from Franschhoek’s Main Street, with a palette of sage, white, and black that creates effortless elegance.
Breakfast can be enjoyed in the dining room or garden, but a Maison tradition is the in-room breakfast ritual. Each night, a slip left on the pillow allows guests to select their breakfast items and preferred time. Hung on the door, it signals a restful night in plush beds, before a silver-service breakfast arrives the next morning, in bed or on the veranda.
By early afternoon, the bar transforms to a smorgasbord of nibbles, all included in your stay, alongside regional beverages and a stocked in-suite minibar. Evenings are yours to explore the village’s award-winning restaurants.
ONE FINAL DRIVE
Not ready to return the Velar, we took one last spin along Victoria Drive, which meanders between mountains and coast from Gordon’s Bay to the sleepy villages of Rooiels and Pringle Bay. Halfway along, the road drops almost to the ocean, passing Dappat Se Gat, a long beach with dramatic cave formations.
Behind the wheel, the Velar felt more like flying than driving along the undulating road. Ocean swims and cave explorations done, it was a sunset drive back to Cape Town, smiling all the way – the battery still had enough charge to carry us home.
