As Indians, we have witnessed a fair share of evolutionary leaps in the auto industry. We’ve seen the rise of the hatchback, the reign of the sedan, and the domination of the SUV. But just when you thought the dust had settled on the SUV craze, Citroën decided to toss a spanner in the works—with India’s first affordable Coupe SUV, the Citroën Basalt.
You see, we've had our fair share of SUV Coupes from the European big shots—luxury, performance, the whole nine yards. But affordable? Not even close. That’s where the French marque steps in, shaking things up with their fifth offering in India, based on the C-Cubed platform, bringing a slice of that Coupe SUV pie for the masses. Will this change gears for Citroen in India? Let's find out!
Final Verdict: The Citroën Basalt—Comfort Meets Character
So, where does that leave us with the Citroën Basalt? It’s a car that defies easy categorisation. It’s not just an SUV, and it’s not just a Coupe. It’s a combination of both wrapped up in a package that’s as comfortable as it is stylish with solid underpinnings.
For the general audience, the Basalt offers a taste of luxury without the hefty price tag. It’s the kind of car you can drive to work during the week and take on a road trip over the weekend. It’s a car that stands out, not just because of its design but because of the experience it offers. Yes, there are a few niggle, like missing out on some features and lacking an aspirational feel with things like the key hole on the door, no door lock/unlock button in the cabin-but these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a thoroughly enjoyable car. The Basalt is comfortable, practical, and stylish, with just enough French flair to make it feel special.
Under the hood, the Citroën Basalt offers two engine options, both 1.2-litre petrol units. The first is an 82hp naturally aspirated engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The other mill on offer is a 110hp turbo-petrol engine. This one comes with a choice of a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The turbocharged engine delivers 190Nm of torque with the manual transmission and 205Nm with the automatic, giving you a bit of extra grunt when you need it.
That brings us to the driving experience. If there’s one thing Citroën does exceptionally well, it’s comfort. The Basalt is no exception. The suspension is on the softer side, soaking up bumps and potholes like a sponge. The lightweight steering adds to the car's easygoing nature, making it a breeze to maneuver through city traffic. On the highway, the Basalt continues to impress. The ride remains settled, and the soft, supportive seats mean you can cover long distances without feeling like you’ve been through a wrestling match. The engine remains impressively quiet at lower speeds, and you can feel the three-pot thrum when gun it at higher speeds. While the body roll is noticeable in corners (a downside of the soft suspension), the Basalt feels more like a relaxing cruiser than a dynamically fun car. And that’s perfectly fine, because that’s exactly what it’s designed to be.
Step inside, and the Basalt continues to impress with its practicality and comfort. The dashboard, borrowed from the C3 Aircross, feels familiar but as enough updates to keep things interesting. The most significant change is the new HVAC panel with digital readouts, toggle switches, and an auto AC function—because let’s face it, rotary dials felt so last decade.
The front seats are a cosy affair, with the new, larger armrest complete with storage. But the rear bench? That’s where the magic happens. Tilt-adjustable thigh support—a feature I have never seen before in a car. It doesn’t move forward and aft but has three degrees of tilt—paired with a 2,651mm wheelbase, which translates to a class-leading 980mm of legroom. Plenty of room to stretch out, right? Well, almost. If you’re under 6 feet, you’ll be lounging in comfort, but for those who are taller, like my 6’2” frame, headroom is a bit of a squeeze. Your noggin might just brush against the ceiling if you lean back. The contoured rear headrests do their bit to add a touch of premium comfort, and with rear AC vents on hand, the backseat passengers won’t be left sweltering or shivering. The seats are finished in fabric and leatherette material and lack ventilation, but they are dead comfy with a good amount of support and softness.
Technology-wise, the Basalt sticks to the essentials but does them well. The 10.25-inch floating touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is easy to use and floats in the centre of the dashboard. At the same time, the 7-inch all-digital instrument cluster is borrowed from the C3 siblings. And for the tech nerds, there’s a 15W wireless smartphone charger and connected car tech to keep you plugged in on the go.
But let’s talk about boot space. Citroën claims the Basalt can swallow up to 470 litres of luggage, besides a spare wheel under the floor, which is impressive for the SUV Coupe. That’s more than enough for a weekend getaway or a long road trip—assuming you don’t have a penchant for overpacking.
At first glance, the Citroën Basalt is unmistakably Citroën. The front end proudly displays those iconic two chevrons and the design language screams “quirky French charm.” But there’s more to it than just a funky fascia. This Coupe SUV will turn heads with its body style even though it's based on the C3 and C3 Aircross. Starting at the front, the Basalt's fascia bears a striking resemblance to the C3 Aircross, with that familiar double-chevron grille. But look closer, and you'll spot the subtle differences—like the body-coloured trim panel below the grille, a small tweak that Citroen believes adds a bit of premiumness to the SUV Coupe. The Daytime Running Lights are also carried over from the C3 Aircross, but the Basalt ups the ante with LED projector headlamps, making it a more premium offering right from the start. The bumper gets beefier with larger air-grille inserts, faux silver skid plates, and those squared-off wheel arches that dial-up its ruggedness. Yet, from a head-on view, you'd be forgiven for mistaking the C3 Aircross and the Basalt for each other, as they look almost like twins. A little more distinction from this angle would have been a welcome touch from Citroën.
Shift your gaze to the side, and the Basalt sits on 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels that fill out those squared-off arches well and give it a respectable 180mm of ground clearance. More than adequate for the typical Indian pothole or the occasional off-the-beaten-path adventure. But the real pièce de résistance is that sloping roofline—a classic Coupe trait—elegantly descending into a high deck lid that extends like a spoiler. It’s the right kind of sporty, not overplayed, and has a tricky balance with this body style where interior space often pays the price. The roofline’s gentle descent begins at the B-pillar, then sharply angles down with the rear window at the C-pillar, creating a visual flow that’s subtle. The trim piece behind the rear windows catches the eye, and trust me, Basalt’s smart design impresses even more in person than in pictures!
The rear of the Basalt continues with the quirky yet functional theme. The 3D wrap-around taillamps feature halogen bulbs but are designed to mimic LED lights, which feel a bit like Citroën having its cake and eating it too. It gets an optional blacked-out roof and chunky black cladding all around like the concept, save for the gloss. It’s these small details that add to the Basalt’s character, making it a car that stands out in a sea of subcompact SUVs.
Engine: 1.2-litre Nat Asp with a 5-speed manual transmission
Performance: 82hp 115Nm FE 18kmpl
Engine: 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine
Performance: 110hp
6-speed manual transmisison produces 190Nm with a FE of 19.5kmpl
6-automatic transmission produces 205Nm with a FE of 18.7kmpl
0-100kmph in 9.95 seconds
6-airbags as standard
Ground clearance: 180mm
Price: Rs 7.99 lakhs (ex-showroom)
