Citroen Basalt : Citroen Basalt burst onto Indian roads in late 2025 and keeps turning heads into 2026 with its quirky SUV-coupe mashup that blends French flair and practical punch.
Starting at around ₹7.99 lakh ex-showroom, this 1.2-litre turbo-petrol hauler offers 18.7 kmpl efficiency and a 470-litre boot, making it a clever pick for urban families dodging Delhi traffic or weekend getaways from Sonipat.
In a market flooded with boxy SUVs, Basalt’s sloped roofline and soft ride carve a fresh niche without the premium price tag.
Head-Turning Coupe Lines Hide Big Heart
Measuring 4352mm long with a 2651mm wheelbase, the Basalt squats at 1593mm tall and 1765mm wide, riding 180mm high to conquer speed breakers and flooded streets.
Squared wheel arches and 16-inch diamond-cut alloys channel rugged vibes, while the fastback tail drops elegantly for coupe drama—LED tail lamps stretch wide, framing a chunky skid plate that hints at trail-ready grit.
Up front, slim LED headlamps sandwich a bold grille, available in Oxford Blue, Polar White, or Cosmo Grey that gleam under highway lights.
Boot pops open to 470 litres, swallowing groceries or cricket gear with 45-litre tank fueling 800km hauls.
Kerb weight around 1240kg keeps it nimble for parking lots, roof rails ready for extra luggage on family trips. It’s not massive like Creta, but clever packaging stretches space where it counts most.
Cabin Comfort Soaks Up Daily Grind
Dual-tone grey-black interiors wrap five in soft-touch materials and fabric seats that hug without stiffness.
The 10.24-inch touchscreen blasts wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, paired to a 7-inch digital cluster flashing drive modes or fuel stats.
Ventilated fronts battle summer sweat, automatic climate control chills rears via dedicated vents, and one-touch windows up front speed rainy escapes.
Central armrest hides wireless charger, USB ports front and rear keep devices alive, powered mirrors fold for tight spots.
Advanced Comfort seats with Citroen’s progressive hydraulic cushions iron out potholes like a magic carpet—plush yet planted at 120kmph. Sunroof floods light, 60:40 split rear folds flat for bikes or bedsheets.
Turbo Power Packs Punchy Pull
PureTech 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo spins 109bhp at 5500rpm and 205Nm from 1750rpm, mated to a slick six-speed auto or manual—0-100kmph in 10 seconds flat, overtaking trucks effortlessly.
Eco-Minimal-Dual drive modes tweak throttle for city sips or highway surges, idling start-stop cuts fuel at signals. Real-world 17-19 kmpl shines on mixed runs, no turbo lag snarls low-speed crawls.
FWD setup with torque-vectoring corners neatly, ESC and hill assist standard across trims. Six-speed auto paddles tease enthusiasts, while NA 1.2 variant on base offers 80bhp for lighter wallets.
No diesel yet, but petrol thirst stays tamed for 2026’s green push.
Safety Layers Without Overkill
Six airbags, ABS with EBD, and tyre pressure monitors wrap the basics tight—Bharat NCAP four-star nod for adults and kids proves sturdy bones.
Rear camera guides tight U-turns, rear sensors beep early, ISOFIX anchors kid seats secure. Electronic stability dabs brakes mid-slide, seatbelt warnings nag forgetters.
No fancy ADAS, but high ground clearance and soft suspension dodge undercarriage scrapes.
Speed alert cuts at 90kmph, engine immobilizer thwarts hot-wiring. It’s honest protection for real roads, not gadget overload.
Pricing Delivers Segment Knockout
Base EX petrol manual ₹7.99 lakh packs essentials, mid Max turbo auto ₹11.99 lakh unlocks sunroof and vents, top ModuPrime ₹13.59 lakh maxes screens.
On-road Haryana adds ₹1-1.5 lakh for rego, undercutting rivals by thousands while matching kit. Five-year warranty, three services free ease math.
Creta demands more for less space efficiency, Grand Vitara hybrid pricier without coupe cool. Citroen’s service nets grow, costs peg ₹0.45/km—wallet-friendly for gig workers or small biz fleets.
Also Read This : Renault Duster – Dhansu mileage SUV with full comfortable feature, price is just ₹9.50 Lakhs
Rivals Scramble in Style Wars
Hyundai Venue feels clinical, Kia Sonet sportier but thirstier; Tata Nexon punches safety harder yet rides firmer.
Basalt’s plushness and boot win family votes, sloping tail splits opinions—love it or list it. Sales climb post-launch, test drives wow with seat sorcery.
Service gripes fade as outlets multiply, resale holds via updates. Nitpicks? Infotainment lags premium polish, third row absent. Still, value screams loudest.
Citroen Basalt Verdict Parks in Prime Spot
City cruisers and bootstrap buyers, Basalt blends wow styling with wipeout comfort at sane rupees.
Head to Citroen lots; that hydraulic hug and turbo twist might flip your garage script. In 2026’s SUV swarm, French funk steals the show.