Finding comfort beyond the city, beyond fuel anxiety
There is something increasingly precious about getting away.
A few hours north of the capital, beyond the traffic jams, expressways, and endless concrete, lies The Sundowners Vacation Villas in Zambales. Perched along the coastline and known for its Santorini-inspired architecture, whitewashed villas, and sweeping views of the West Philippine Sea, Sundowners has become one of the most appealing nearby escapes for city dwellers looking to recharge without having to board a plane.
Yet escaping the city is not quite as carefree as it once was. With fuel prices rising and falling in response to global events, many motorists now think twice before planning long drives or spontaneous weekend getaways. The open road still holds its appeal, but there is often a lingering question in the back of one's mind: how much will the trip cost? In that sense, efficiency has become just as important as comfort when choosing a vehicle for the journey.
Fortunately, the roughly 197-kilometer drive from Quezon City to Sundowners remains one of those trips that feels worth every kilometer.
The journey itself is a reminder of why road trips continue to hold a special place in our collective imagination. The scenery gradually shifts from urban sprawl to open roads, with the landscape becoming noticeably calmer as Zambales draws closer. By the time the sea begins to appear in the distance, the stresses of city life have already started to fade.
Worth the long drive
After roughly five hours on the road, factoring in Metro Manila traffic, SCTEX bottlenecks, and slower provincial stretches, arriving at Sundowners feels like reaching a different world altogether.
The property has earned a reputation as one of the country's most picturesque staycation destinations, and it is easy to see why. Whitewashed walls, Mediterranean-inspired architecture, infinity pools, and panoramic ocean views create an atmosphere that feels more Greek island retreat than weekend getaway. The sunsets alone justify the trip, casting the coastline in shades of orange and gold that seem almost unreal after a week spent staring at office walls and computer screens.
What makes Sundowners particularly appealing is that it strikes a balance between accessibility and escape. It is far enough from Metro Manila to feel like a true vacation, yet close enough to make a weekend trip practical. There is no need to navigate airports, baggage claims, or flight schedules. You simply hop into your car or catch a bus and head out.
For this trip, that drive happened to be done in the 2026 Ford Territory Hybrid.
The growing popularity of hybrid vehicles is easy to understand when viewed through the lens of a road trip like this. Rising fuel costs and concerns about energy prices have made efficiency more attractive than ever, but many motorists are not quite ready to make the leap to a fully electric vehicle. Hybrids occupy a comfortable middle ground. The Territory Hybrid, in particular, proved well-suited for the task.
Its 1.5-liter hybrid powertrain and e-CVT transmission delivered smooth, predictable performance throughout the drive. More impressive was how unobtrusive the hybrid system felt. The transition between electric and gasoline power was so seamless that it often went unnoticed. There was never a sense that the vehicle was working hard, even when navigating traffic or overtaking slower vehicles along provincial roads.
Long-distance comfort also turned out to be one of its strengths. The cabin remained quiet for most of the journey, while the spacious interior made the five-hour drive feel shorter than it actually was. Adaptive cruise control proved useful on open highway stretches, and the light steering made maneuvering through traffic remarkably easy.
Not everyone will appreciate steering that is tuned for comfort over sportiness, but switching to Sport mode adds some welcome weight and responsiveness. It is a small adjustment that helps the vehicle adapt to different driving preferences.
More importantly, the Territory Hybrid delivered something increasingly valuable in today's driving environment: peace of mind.
Rather than constantly thinking about fuel consumption or planning the next stop at a gas station, we were free to focus on the journey itself. That may sound like a small thing, but it becomes surprisingly meaningful on longer drives.
The return trip to Quezon City reinforced that impression. The vehicle completed the roughly 400-kilometer round trip without fuss, quietly going about its business while allowing the destination to remain the highlight of the experience.
Things to note about the Territory Hybrid
Of course, no vehicle is perfect.
The air-conditioning system becomes noticeably noisy when set to its highest level, a minor annoyance in an otherwise refined cabin. The sound system can occasionally sound a little thin at higher volumes, while the suspension transmits more road imperfections than expected when encountering potholes and rough provincial surfaces.
Still, these feel like relatively minor compromises. What stood out most was not any individual feature, but how naturally the vehicle fit into the experience of getting away. It did not demand attention. It simply made the journey easier. And perhaps that is the real luxury today.
As fuel prices continue to fluctuate and long drives become more carefully considered, the appeal of destinations like Sundowners—which is still a relatively short drive away—only grows stronger. The chance to disconnect, slow down, and spend a few days by the sea remains one of the best antidotes to city life.
When the destination is this rewarding, having a vehicle that gets you there comfortably and efficiently is simply part of the equation.
