The French carmaker Citroen is set to make a significant impression on the Indian car market. With Citroen Basalt, the company is launching one of the first coupe SUVs to be introduced in India. Coupe SUVs typically have a sloping rear roofline and include two doors. However, Citroen Basalt has four doors due to the popularity of this configuration.
Basalt is the 5th car to be launched by Citroen in India and stands as a testament to Citroen’s legacy of engineering excellence. The company has made several modifications to the car’s design as compared to its previous launches. This is a serious effort to boost Citroen’s performance in the Indian car market.
This Citroen Basalt review will delve into everything you need to know about this remarkable vehicle, followed by an insightful Citroen Basalt drive review.
Citroen Basalt: The First Look
The Citroen Basalt is immediately recognizable, thanks to its 98 percent localised CMP platform. The front has a bold and dynamic design quite similar to the other Citroen car models.
| Seating capacity | 5 to 7 seater |
| Length | 4,352 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 1,593 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,651 mm |
| Ground clearance | 180 mm |
| Boot space | 444 cubic feet |
1. Exterior Aesthetics
It has thick plastic body cladding with squared-off arches near the wheels. There are twin humps sculpted on the roof and sharp lines across the whole exterior. The meticulous craftsmanship is evident in the sculpted taillamps. Citroen Basalt does justice to its tag of a coupe SUV with its steeply sloping rear windscreen. Some of its notable features include:
- LED headlights and taillights
- 16-inch alloys
- Power-folding mirrors
- Auto climate control
- Floor-mounted rear AC vents
- Wireless charging pad with a rubberised base to prevent a phone from sliding
- 10.2-inch free-standing touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- 6-speaker setup
2. Interior Aesthetics
Inside, the Citroen Basalt continues to impress with its large, luxurious, and functional cabin. The all-white upholstery creates a sophisticated environment.
There is plenty of headroom and kneeroom inside. Citroen Basalt features an adjustable squab, armrest, and headrest. This provides maximum comfort for both the driver and passengers. It also has a striking 470 litres of boot space. Some of its notable interior features include:
- Fast charging 95W cigarette lighter port charger
- Sound damping inside the cabin
- Air-conditioning vents, and two USB type A chargers in second-row seats
- Wireless charging pad behind cup holders
Citroen Basalt Performance
Citroen Basalt boasts a powerful engine that offers a perfect balance of performance and efficiency. It is available in two powertrain options. First is a 3-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine that is 82 hp / 115 Nm and includes a manual gearbox to switch between 5 speeds.
The second one includes a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that is 110 hp and is further available in two segments- 190 Nm with manual gearbox of 6 speeds and a 205 Nm with automatic transmission between 6 speeds.
Each engine is designed to deliver robust power and smooth acceleration. However, the turbo manual engine is the most fuel-efficient. The company claims a fuel efficiency of about 19.5 kpl in turbo manual, 18.7 kpl in turbo automatic, and 18 kpl in petrol manual one.
| Fuel Type | Petrol |
| Engine options | 1198 cc and 1199 cc |
| Engine Type | 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine |
| Additional specs | 108 bhp and 190 Nm torque |
Automotive experts have praised the Citroen Basalt for its blend of style, performance, and technology. In various reviews, the car has been lauded for its comfortable ride, fuel-efficient engine, and striking design. It also includes several safety features like:
- 6 airbags
- ESP
- Hill-hold assist, and
- Tyre pressure monitor
Citroen Basalt First Drive Review
Citroen Basalt provides robust performance and a great driving experience. The first time you do notice initial vibrations and engine fluttering on its mounts, but they subside once the car starts moving. Unlike other cars in the segment, Citorean Basalt has successfully reduced the turbo lag below 2000 rpm.
The car has a responsive steering wheel, and a crisp acceleration. Though the gear ratios are pretty comfortable, they are not as smooth as one would expect. The clutch is quite designer but can seem to be bulkier for some.
The automatic version of Citroen Basalt has the 6-speed Aisin torque converter that is available in many vehicles of a similar segment. It does accelerate quite quickly as you lift off the brake pedal but presents issues when hunting for the correct gear on hilly roads. Citroen Basalt’s first drive review does confirm that it has excellent damping and handling at low speeds.
Citroen Basalt Price and Competitors
Citroen Basalt is priced at the higher end of the Indian car market, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers. It does not have certain features like a sunroof, 360-degree camera, cruise control, and keyless entry which are offered by its competitors, that too at a lower price.
Citroen Basalt is expected to have a pricing of nearly INR 7.99 Lakhs to INR 13.57 Lakhs. The pricing is comparable to compact SUVs in the market. Its core competitors will include Tata Curve, Tata Nexon, Mahindra Bolero, and Maruti Brezza among others.
However, Citroen Basalt delivers highly when it comes to rie comfort. It has a softer suspension rebound which reduces the impact felt by road imperfections. This feature has also led Citroen Basalt to be named as the best riding car based on the C-Cubed platform.
| Citroen Basalt | Expected price |
| Base model | INR 7.99 Lakhs |
| Top model | INR 13.57 Lakhs |
Should You Buy Citroen Basalt?
The Citroen Basalt is engineered to deliver a thrilling and refined driving experience. It is highly anticipated that the car has the potential to make Citroen a popular name among Indian households. If you’re looking for a spacious coupe SUV with striking exteriors and comfortable interiors, Citroen Basalt might just be right for you.
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FAQs
1. Are Citroen cars worth it?
Citroen is a reputed French carmaking company that was ranked 14th among 32 car manufacturers by Reliability Survey. They have previously launched four cars in India and are set to launch Citroen Basalt which has quite promising features.
2. Does Citroen Basalt have an automatic gearbox?
Yes, Citroen Basalt will be available in both automatic and manual segments. The automatic segment includes a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine with 205 Nm with 6 speeds.
3. When will Citroen Basalt launch in India?
The company has not announced the official launch date of Citroen Basalt. However, it is speculated that it will be launched in late 2024 to early 2025.
