Citroen Basalt : Citroen Basalt keeps buzzing in showrooms across Punjab and beyond, two years after shaking up the sub-compact SUV scene.
This French-Indian mashup delivers quirky style, pillow-soft rides, and prices that undercut most rivals, perfect for families dodging city gridlock or weekend getaways.
Coupe Silhouette Steals the Show
Picture sliding into something that looks like a hot hatch met an SUV—Basalt’s sloping roofline screams sporty without trying too hard.
At 4.35 meters long, it threads through Mohali’s narrow lanes yet hauls five passengers and a generous 470-litre boot for grocery runs or Diwali shopping sprees.
Ground clearance clears 200mm bumps effortlessly, a boon on patchy Indian tarmac.
LED projector headlights slice night drives, while 16-17 inch alloys add grit. Dual-tone paint jobs, from Steel Grey to Polar White, turn heads at traffic signals.
Citroen smartly skipped macho cladding overload, opting for clean lines that feel fresh amid boxy competitors.
Punchy Engines, Thrifty on Fuel
Under the hood, a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol churns 80bhp for gentle city pokes, sipping up to 18.7kmpl per ARAI tests.
Turbocharged siblings kick it up to 109bhp and 205Nm, making overtakes on NH-44 feel effortless with a 6-speed manual or auto gearbox. Front-wheel drive keeps it simple, no frills needed for daily hustles.
Real drives clock 14-16kmpl mixed, outpacing thirstier turbo rivals. No diesel or CNG yet, but pure petrol focus sidesteps emission headaches in Delhi-NCR zones.
For tech-savvy drivers streaming podcasts from Chandigarh to Mohali, the quiet cabin and cruise control make hours fly.
Suspension Magic Smooths Rough Roads
Citroen’s secret sauce—Advanced Comfort Progressive Hydraulic Suspension—turns cratered streets into highways.
Those hydraulic stops absorb shocks so well, passengers barely spill chai during pothole ambushes. It’s like driving a cloud with handlebars, a rarity under Rs 15 lakh.
Cabin whispers thanks to thick glass and seals, letting you crank tunes without blasting volumes.
Rear seats slide and recline for legroom luxury, while USB ports keep gadgets juiced.
In top trims, ventilated fronts beat summer sweat, a thoughtful nod to Indian climates.
Safety Gear That Delivers Peace
Six airbags as standard? Check. A 4-star Global NCAP nod proves the sturdy shell holds up in crashes.
Electronic stability, hill-start assist, and TPMS round out the kit, with ISOFIX anchors simplifying kid seat swaps.
Level 1 ADAS like lane keep and adaptive cruise land in higher variants, scanning traffic like a vigilant co-pilot.
No 360-degree camera stings a bit, but rear sensors and a sharp unit cover basics. For parents in bustling Punjab suburbs, this kit means fewer worries on school runs or night shifts.
Citroen built it tough, borrowing C3 Aircross bones for proven reliability.
Tech Inside Feels Premium
Twin 10.25-inch screens dominate the dash—one for maps, one for dials—running snappy software with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Sunroof floods light into the spacious cabin, while wireless charging pads phones without cable tango. Keyless go and push-button start add daily ease.
Voice commands handle AC tweaks or calls hands-free, ideal for UPI juggling at signals.
Ambient lighting and soft-touch plastics punch above the price, mimicking pricier cabins. Software updates promise longevity, keeping it fresh through 2026’s connected world.
Price Tags That Tempt Upgrades
Kicking off at Rs 7.95 lakh ex-showroom for entry You trim, it scales to Rs 13.55 lakh for loaded Max Turbo AT.
Mid-range Plus Turbo at Rs 11 lakh packs sunroof and alloys, sweet for value hunters. On-road in Mohali hits Rs 9-16 lakh, with EMI around Rs 18k monthly via zero-down deals.
Amid 2026’s Trump tariff talks nudging import costs, local assembly keeps Basalt competitive.
Exchange bonuses lure old Citroen owners, while corporate discounts target pros. Showrooms hum with walk-ins, waiting lists building for autos.
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Rivals Feel the Heat
Basalt nips at Tata Curvv and Maruti Fronx heels in the coupe club, but crushes them on ride plushness.
Hyundai Venue or Kia Sonet match features yet charge more for less space. Honda Elevate eyes practicality, but Basalt’s style and comfort win hearts craving uniqueness.
Sales crossed 25,000 by January 2026, word spreading via family chats and YouTube reviews.
In Punjab’s auto scene, it slots perfectly for first-car buyers or downsizers fleeing maintenance nightmares. Citroen’s C-Cubed vision promises bolder plays ahead.
Citroen Basalt Enduring Appeal
Fuel hikes and urban sprawl demand smart buys—Basalt answers with efficiency, fun, and fuss-free ownership.
Quirks like no paddle shifters aside, it nails 90% of wants for most drivers. Content creators snapping Punjab trails love its photogenic stance and steady handling.