Citroen Basalt Review:  A game changer in mid-size SUV space?

The compact C-segment of midsize SUVs is a rage in the Indian market with several offerings to lure buyers. Citroen already has the C3 Aircross in this space and is about to bring its second offering for this segment in the form of Basalt. Slated to go on sale in the coming days, the Basalt is a different take from the rest of the models in this segment.

For starters, it is the first coupe SUV in the mass-market (depending on when Tata Curvv gets launched) giving an option to buyers to try out something new and unconventional. But at the end of the day, unconventional or not, every vehicle in India needs to tick a certain number of boxes to present themselves as a potential buying option for the consumers.

We got our hands on the all-new Basalt for a day and checked what exactly is new. We say it is new even though it’s based on the same CMP architecture as the C3 and C3 Aircross and also has visual identities borrowed from the latter. But the important thing to find was how it differentiated from the rest of the offerings by the French carmaker as well as from other OEMs in this segment. Is it a game changer in the mid-size SUV space? Let’s find out.

Citroen Basalt Review: Sporty looks but not for everyone

As mentioned earlier, the Citroen Basalt borrows several styling cues from its platform sibling— C3 Aircross— but it is able to distinguish itself from the latter thanks to its silhouette. Its sharply receding roofline of a typical coupe may not appeal to everyone but I have to admit it gives the car a sporty edge. What it also does is improve aerodynamics by bringing down down force and a drag coefficient of around 0.26.

Rest of the exterior styling is more or less familiar. The split lighting setup with V-shaped LED DRLs, the chrome Chevron emblem, and a front bumper laced with air dams, all have been borrowed from the C3 Aircross. The only difference is that the new coupe SUV upgrades to an LED projector headlamp instead of a halogen unit. The sides have prominent creases and thick plastic claddings to amplify its stance.

However, Citroen missed a trick by offering 16-inch machine-cut alloy wheels where a size larger could have accentuated the stance to another level. At the rear, the roofline culminates into a large boot lid with an integrated spoiler which looks polarising. The taillamps though are different which are a lot more sleeker while giving out a 3D effect when glowing. That said, it uses a halogen bulb inside.

Citroen Basalt Review: Well built but not premium

Step inside the cabin of the Basalt, and you’ll gain a sense of familiarity with the same dashboard layout, seat upholstery, and equipment. There is no sign of any soft touch material on the dashboard as seen in the competition from this segment which robs the Basalt of that premium feel which buyers are seeking for. However, it seems well built and put together with no inconsistent gaps and the hard plastics used are of decent quality.

The gloss piano black finish around the AC vents and centre console is the only premium touch inside the cabin. Step onto the back seats, and you’ll be surprised to note the amount of space the cabin offers. Citroen claims class leading legroom and knee room and even the headroom is generous considering the sloping roofline at the rear. Another interesting touch is the adjustable underthigh support, a first-in-segment feature although the stock setting doesn’t offer any reason to complain.

Citroen Basalt Review: Features offered

Citroen Basalt has got all the bases covered when it comes to features. It gets a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 7-inch digital driver’s display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, one-touch roll-down for all windows, wireless phone charging, electrically adjustable ORVMs, and 40 connected car features via Citroen Connect 2.0 to name a few.

However, it does have a few glaring misses as well, most notably an electric sunroof, power adjustable driver’s seats, paddle shifters, and a premium audio system. Further, the instrumentation feels very basic for this segment even though Citroen says it is customisable for varying driving conditions. But none of these misses are real deal breakers in our opinion.

Citroen Basalt Review: Punchy performance

We were driving the Basalt powered by a 1.2-litre PureTech turbocharged petrol engine and mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, again a familiar setup to the C3 Aircross. However, since I was driving a Citroen for the first time, it was an all-new experience for me. It churns out 109 horses and 205 Nm of peak torque. The engine is surprisingly peppy with enough grunt available right from 2000 rpm. 

Step on the gas and there is plenty of oomph to haul this coupe SUV to triple digit speeds with ease.Complementing the motor is a smooth and responsive 6-speed torque converter which is adaptive in the way it shifts. If you drive with a light foot, the gear changes are progressive and if you intend to use a heavy foot, it is quick to drop a gear or two and hold on to it till an optimum engine rpm is reached.

However, it isn’t an engine that loves to be pushed to its absolute limit since it gets a little noisy as the revs climb. The boomy sound from the engine filters through the cabin and while it is not annoying, it isn’t a desirable quality to possess. Speaking of which, the NVH levels of the cabin could have been a tad better although this should only be considered as nit picking.

Citroen Basalt Review: Driving comfort at best

Citroen doesn’t kid when the company says that it has laid the benchmark when it comes to ride quality in passenger vehicles, and I got to experience this with the Basalt. While I had already heard of the exceptional ride quality of the C5 Aircross from all quarters, me driving the Basalt opened up a whole new identity for cars to be looked at. 

We were driving in and around the smooth yet and narrow tarmacs of central Goa which were occasionally ridden with potholes. And to my pleasant surprise, Basalt gobbled it all and flattened the ride, not letting any of the undulations filter through the cabin. Even while sitting in the back seat, I could hardly feel any of the road inconsistencies inside the cabin. 

But does it mean the Basalt compromises on handling? Well, the Basalt was never going to handle like a sports car even though its coupe body style should ideally give it an edge over its more traditional and boxy rivals. And to some extent it does, the body roll is minimal and the chassis is sprung almost perfectly, finding the right balance for a family car on Indian roads.

What also holds in Basalt’s favour is its predictable steering which is on the lighter side in normal conditions but adds heft to it as the speed increases. Just point towards the direction you want to go, the car just shoots towards it. This also provides a testimony to Basalt’s agility even on narrow paths. Another big plus is the braking, again very sharp and predictable, bringing the car to halt in a jiffy without losing its composure.

Citroen Basalt Review: Price & Verdict

At the time of filing this report, Citroen is yet to announce the entire price list of the Basalt but it has already created a massive ripple effect with an introductory starting price of Rs 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom). This means the Basalt undercuts even subcompact SUVs like Maruti Brezza, Tata Nexon, and Kia Sonet, leave alone all its segment rivals. Therefore, it surely has a massive price advantage.

However, most of our readers will be sceptical about pickup a Citroen due to its limited presence across the country. The French carmaker has assured that it is in process of slowly but gradually expanding its footprint beyond the metros and Tier 1 centres, with more dealerships and showrooms to come in the next few months. That said, if you look at the car in solitude, it ticks almost all the right boxes and doesn’t leave a hole in your pocket.

If you’re open to coupe SUV body style and Citroen badging, the Basalt is actually a very tempting option to consider and definitely worth a test drive.