The Citroen Basalt isn’t just another compact SUV—it’s a French-styled coupe crossover that turns heads on city streets and in dealership showrooms alike. But how does it fare when you step away from the glitz and start living with it day-to-day?
Citroen’s journey in India has been a quiet one so far. After the C5 Aircross launched with flair, the brand introduced models like the C3 hatchback and C3 Aircross SUV. But despite competitive pricing, sales haven’t hit top gear. The new Basalt, however, aims to change the narrative by offering coupe-inspired SUV styling with urban comfort and affordability.
We spent serious seat time with the Citroen Basalt, and here are the five key takeaways you must know before signing on the dotted line.
1. Drop-Dead Gorgeous, But That Sunroof? Missing.
Visually, the Basalt stuns. With its sloping coupe-like roofline, split LED headlamp setup, LED DRLs, and bold grille, it captures attention instantly. Wherever we went, people couldn’t help but ask: “Is this launched yet?” or “Kitne ka hai?”
Yes, it’s that attractive. However, what leaves a sour note is the absence of a panoramic sunroof—a major miss in this design-first SUV. It’s almost ironic for a car that looks this upscale.
The 16-inch alloy wheels also feel slightly underwhelming for the vehicle’s profile. A set of 17-inchers could’ve added more visual bulk to match its SUV aspirations.
Quick Spec Highlight:
- LED headlights & DRLs
- 180mm ground clearance
- Coupe-inspired roofline
- 16-inch alloys (should’ve been bigger)
2. Cabin Comfort > Cabin Quality
While the Basalt’s cabin may not wow you with plush materials, it quietly wins you over with comfort.
The 10.2-inch infotainment system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, and auto climate control cover the tech basics well. However, the cabin misses out on key features like push-button start, ventilated seats, and better-quality plastic materials, which are increasingly common in this price range.
But the real gem here is the seat comfort. Especially at the rear, Citroen offers a unique three-step thigh support design that makes long journeys incredibly relaxing—arguably better than some pricier SUVs.
Cabin Features:
- 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless smartphone connectivity & charger
- Rear seat with tri-level thigh support
- Misses: push-start, ventilated seats, premium plastics
3. Turbo Petrol Power: Surprising Performance
Under the hood, Citroen offers two petrol engines: a 1.2L naturally aspirated unit and a 1.2L turbocharged motor. We tested the latter—and we were pleasantly surprised.
The 1.2L turbo churns out 109 bhp and 205 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox (sourced from Aisin). The shifts are smooth, timely, and city-friendly. On highways, the turbo motor has enough grunt to overtake with ease, though the engine gets a bit vocal at higher revs.
Don’t go by the on-paper specs alone—this setup feels far livelier than numbers suggest.
Performance Snapshot:
- 1.2L Turbo Petrol (109 bhp / 205 Nm)
- 6-speed torque converter automatic (Aisin)
- Smooth gearbox; slightly noisy engine
4. Best-In-Class Ride Quality—Seriously
Citroen’s suspension tuning deserves an ovation. The Basalt handles Indian roads like a dream. Whether it’s potholes, broken roads, or tall speed breakers, this SUV soaks it all up without fuss.
Even rear passengers—usually the first to complain in most cars—remain relaxed and unshaken. It’s that rare mass-market SUV that genuinely rides like a more expensive vehicle.
So, if comfort is a priority in your buying decision, the Basalt scores big.
Ride Quality Verdict:
- Soft, supple suspension
- Excellent urban and highway comfort
- Best in segment for rear-seat ride experience
5. Solid Value—but It’s Not Fully Loaded
The Citroen Basalt is priced between ₹8.25 lakh and ₹13.99 lakh (ex-showroom), placing it smartly between compact SUVs like the Tata Nexon and larger models like the Hyundai Creta.
You’re getting a unique coupe-SUV design, a well-tuned engine, and ride comfort that’s class-leading. However, the Basalt still falls short in feature count compared to rivals that offer 360-degree cameras, sunroofs, and digital driver displays.
If you’re style-conscious, prefer comfort over flashy features, and want a European car that won’t break the bank, the Basalt delivers. But if you’re feature-hungry, you may find the Basalt a little too minimalist.
Pricing Breakdown:
- ₹8.25 lakh to ₹13.99 lakh (ex-showroom India)
- Segment: Mid-size Coupe SUV
- Competitors: Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue N Line, Kia Sonet, Maruti Brezza
Citroen Basalt Owner Profile
Owner Age: 34
Profession: IT Consultant in Bengaluru
Family: Married with one child (uses Basalt as a primary family car)
Net Worth: ₹42 lakh (approx.)
Final Word: Should You Buy It?
The Citroen Basalt brings something refreshingly different to the SUV segment—style, comfort, and European finesse at a price that undercuts most rivals. It’s not perfect. But it’s honest, charismatic, and composed.
If your heart says coupe-SUV but your wallet says “under ₹14 lakh,” the Basalt might be the French flair you’ve been waiting for.