The Citroën Basalt is a budget-friendly SUV-coupe aimed at buyers who want something stylish and different from regular compact SUVs. Starting at around ₹8.55 lakh (ex-showroom), it brings a mix of bold design, strong practicality, and comfort-focused engineering, rather than outright performance or luxury tech.
🚗 Design: The SUV-Coupe That Stands Out
The biggest talking point of the Basalt is its SUV-coupe styling.
- High SUV stance with coupe-like sloping roofline
- Split LED lighting signature and rugged body cladding
- 16-inch alloy wheels and tall proportions
- Strong road presence for its price
This design makes it look more premium and distinctive than most cars in this segment. However, the coupe roofline slightly affects rear headroom for taller passengers.
💺 Cabin & Comfort: Focus on Space and Ride Quality
Citroën has clearly prioritized comfort over flashiness.
Inside the Basalt, you get:
- Spacious front and rear seating
- One of the largest boot spaces (~470 litres) in its class
- Soft suspension tuned for indian roads
- Rear AC vents and practical storage spaces
- Comfortable seats suitable for long drives
The overall feel is more “relaxed cruiser” than sporty SUV.
⚙️ Engine Options: Simple and Efficient
The Basalt keeps things straightforward with two petrol engine options:
- 1.2L naturally aspirated petrol – economy-focused
- 1.2L turbo petrol (up to ~110 hp, 205 Nm) – better for highway driving
Transmission choices:
- 5-speed manual (NA engine)
- 6-speed manual / automatic (turbo variant)
Mileage is claimed around 18–19.5 km/l, making it fairly efficient for its size.
📱 Features: Decent but Not Fully Loaded
At this price, the Basalt offers essential modern features but skips some premium ones.
What you get:
- Touchscreen infotainment system (up to ~10-inch)
- Wireless smartphone connectivity
- Automatic climate control
- Rear parking sensors
- Up to 6 airbags and stability control
What’s missing (important):
- No sunroof
- Limited premium tech in lower variants
- Some rivals offer more advanced driver assists
This is where Citroën keeps costs controlled.
🛡️ Safety: Strong Focus Area
Safety is a highlight for the Basalt:
- Up to 6 airbags
- ESP (electronic stability control)
- Hill hold assist
- Strong structural design with good crash safety intent
This makes it a reassuring option for family buyers.
🛣️ Ride & Handling: The Real Strength
One of the strongest points of Citroën cars is present here too:
- Extremely soft suspension setup
- Excellent absorption of potholes and bad roads
- Comfortable highway cruising
- Not designed for sporty driving
If your priority is comfort on rough indian roads, this is one of the better tuned cars in the segment.
💰 Price & Positioning: Who Is It For?
At ₹8.55 lakh starting price, the Basalt sits in a very competitive space.
It targets buyers who want:
- SUV styling without high cost
- Comfortable ride quality
- Large boot and family usability
- Something unique vs common SUVs
It competes with models like:
- Tata Nexon
- Hyundai Venue
- Maruti Fronx
- Mahindra XUV 3XO
🔍 Final Verdict: Style + Comfort Over Everything Else
The Citroën Basalt is not trying to be the most powerful or feature-loaded SUV. Instead, it focuses on:
👉 Unique SUV-coupe design
👉 Excellent ride comfort
👉 Practical space and boot
👉 Affordable pricing
But it does compromise on:
- Premium features
- Brand perception
- Driving excitement
🧭 Bottom Line
If you want a comfortable, stylish, and practical SUV that stands out, the Basalt makes sense at ₹8.55 lakh.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.
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