Citroen Basalt : Citroen Basalt hit Indian roads in late 2024 as a fresh take on the SUV coupe formula, blending quirky French styling with practical family hauling at aggressive prices.
Starting under Rs 8 lakh, this five-seater rode the wave of sub-4m popularity, pitting against Tata Curvv and Honda Elevate with its sloping roofline and high ground clearance.
By early 2026, the Basalt X variant keeps buzz alive through dealer lots in Punjab towns like Amloh, drawing auto enthusiasts for its ride comfort amid pothole-ridden streets.
Striking Coupe Silhouette Stands Tall
The Basalt’s fastback design grabs eyes instantly—think split LED headlights up front, a massive Citroen logo on the grille, and C-pillar mounted rear lamps that scream modern flair.
At 4323mm long with 2651mm wheelbase, it stretches space inside while sneaking under 4m tax perks, offering 180mm clearance for speed breakers and rural hauls.
Dual-tone paint jobs in Polar White or Steel Grey add premium pop without jacking up the bill.
Inside, the cabin surprises with a clean dashboard, 10.25-inch touchscreen running wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, plus a 7-inch digital cluster.
Leatherette seats stretch across a flat floor, with rear AC vents and adjustable thigh support making long drives to Punjab’s golden fields bearable for five adults.
Boot swallows 470 liters, expandable via 60:40 split—perfect for weekend market runs or photography gear hauls. Build feels sturdy, though some plastics scratch easy under nails.
Powertrains Balance Pep and Thrift
Two 1.2-liter petrol mills keep it simple: a naturally aspirated 82 bhp/115 Nm unit with five-speed manual for city crawls at 19.5 kmpl ARAI, and a turbocharged 109 bhp beast pumping 190-205 Nm torque via six-speed manual or torque-converter auto.
The turbo-auto combo hits 18.7 kmpl claimed, zipping 0-100 in under 11 seconds while sipping fuel on highways.
No diesel or hybrid yet, but smooth Progressive Hydraulic Cushions suspension soaks bumps like a Citroen hallmark, out-comforting stiffer rivals.
Real-world tests clock 15-17 kmpl mixed driving, with light steering and decent brakes (discs upfront) suiting urban chaos. Basalt X edition amps it with ventilated seats, 360-camera, and cruise control, priced around Rs 13-14 lakh.
Safety nets six airbags, ESP, hill-hold, and TPMS standard—earning nods from family buyers wary of crash stats. No ADAS bells, keeping costs low for value hunters.
Loaded Features Punch Above Weight
Slide into top trims for auto AC, wireless charging, six-speaker audio, and keyless entry—rivaling pricier Koreans without the badge tax.
The X gets blacked-out alloys, sportier badges, and leather dash accents for that premium vibe.
Connected car tech via MyCitroen app tracks service, geo-fencing kids’ rides, or remote AC preheat—handy for hot Amloh summers. Sunroof? Nope, but vast glass roof on select packs floods light inside.
Ride quality steals shows; those hydraulic dampers iron out potholes better than Maruti’s softer setups, ideal for India’s broken blacktop.
Forum folks on Team-BHP rave about quiet cabins at speed, though turbo lag nips low-rpm pulls.
Fuel efficiency shines for commuters clocking 50km daily, undercutting Hyundai Venue’s thirstier mills. Servicing stays affordable at Rs 0.40/km over five years, a win for budget planners.
Market Fight and Sales Story
Launched at Rs 7.99 lakh (base) to Rs 13.94 lakh (Max Turbo AT), Basalt undercut Tata Curvv by Rs 50k while matching space.
Monthly sales hover 2,000-3,000 units, boosted by X’s September 2025 debut amid festive rush.
Competitors like Mahindra XUV3XO boast more kit, but Basalt’s comfort and pricing lure first-car buyers or upgraders from Swift.
Dealer feedback highlights easy financing, with Croma-like EMI from Rs 12k monthly.
Challenges? Limited service net in rural pockets, no diesel for highway hogs, and coupe roof crimps tall third-row hopes (it’s strictly five-up). Still, resale whispers strong thanks to Citroen’s seven-year warranty push.
For tech scribes, SEO bait like “Citroen Basalt X vs Curvv” pulls traffic, blending specs with real-road tales. Punjab riders dig its elevated perch for foggy mornings or flooded monsoons.
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Citroen Basalt Legacy and Future Roadmap
Basalt proves Citroen’s India bet pays off, marrying style with substance in a segment exploding past 50k monthly volumes.
X variant’s ventilated seats and camera address early gripes, positioning it for 2026 refreshes—maybe mild-hybrid tweaks amid EV shifts.
Families swapping sedans love the perch, photographers dig stable highway shots for bike reviews. Drawbacks fade against rivals’ firmer rides; it’s the comfy cruiser under 15 lakh.
Used lots pop on OLX post-festive clearances, bargains for spec nerds.
Citroen’s roadmap hints Aircross hybrid siblings, but Basalt stays core for now. In Amloh’s auto scene, it fits mid-life upgraders eyeing EVs later—value king blending fun and frugality.