Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV: A Detailed Overview of Citroen’s New Coupe SUV
Citroen has unveiled its latest offering in the Indian market, the Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV, a coupe-styled SUV that promises a blend of style, comfort, and performance at a competitive price. With prices ranging from Rs. 7.99 Lakh to Rs. 13.83 Lakh, the Basalt attracts many people who want an SUV that’s both stylish and practical. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the Citroen Basalt, including its pricing, key specifications, positives, and negatives, as well as the convenience, technology, safety features, and exterior/interior styling.
Citroen Basalt Pricing
The Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV is available in eight different variants, offering both manual and automatic transmission options. Here’s a breakdown of the prices for the different models:
| Variants | Engine | Transmission | Mileage (ARAI) | Power | Ex-Showroom Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basalt You 1.2 Petrol MT | 1199 cc, Petrol | Manual | 18 kmpl | 80 bhp | Rs. 7.99 Lakh |
| Basalt Plus 1.2 Petrol MT | 1199 cc, Petrol | Manual | 18 kmpl | 80 bhp | Rs. 9.99 Lakh |
| Basalt Plus 1.2 Turbo Petrol MT | 1199 cc, Petrol | Manual | 19.5 kmpl | 80 bhp | Rs. 11.49 Lakh |
| Basalt Max 1.2 Turbo Petrol MT | 1199 cc, Petrol | Manual | 19.5 kmpl | 80 bhp | Rs. 12.28 Lakh |
| Basalt Max 1.2 Turbo Petrol MT Dual Tone | 1199 cc, Petrol | Manual | 19.5 kmpl | 80 bhp | Rs. 12.49 Lakh |
| Basalt Plus 1.2 Turbo Petrol AT | 1199 cc, Petrol | Automatic (TC) | 18.7 kmpl | 109 bhp | Rs. 12.79 Lakh |
| Basalt Max 1.2 Turbo Petrol AT | 1199 cc, Petrol | Automatic (TC) | 18.7 kmpl | 109 bhp | Rs. 13.62 Lakh |
| Basalt Max 1.2 Turbo Petrol AT Dual Tone | 1199 cc, Petrol | Automatic (TC) | 18.7 kmpl | 109 bhp | Rs. 13.83 Lakh |
Key Specifications of the Citroen Basalt
The Citroen Basalt is powered by a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine that offers two power outputs depending on the transmission. The manual variants produce 80 bhp and 190 Nm of torque, while the automatic variants deliver 109 bhp and 205 Nm of torque.
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Petrol |
| Engine | 1199 cc Turbocharged |
| Transmission | Manual & Automatic (TC) |
| Mileage (ARAI) | 18.7 to 19.5 kmpl |
| Power | 80 bhp @ 5750 rpm (Manual) / 109 bhp @ 5500-2500 rpm (AT) |
| Torque | 190 Nm @ 1750 rpm (Manual) / 205 Nm @ 1750 rpm (AT) |
| Boot Space | 470 litres |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
Citroen Basalt: Positives and Negatives
Positives:
- Spacious and Practical Interior: The Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV offers ample space for five passengers, making it an excellent choice for families. The rear seats come with three-step adjustable thigh support, enhancing passenger comfort on long journeys.
- Superior Ride Comfort: Citroen has long been known for its suspension comfort, and the Basalt continues this tradition. The SUV dismisses bumps and potholes effortlessly, offering a smooth ride even on rough roads.
- Good Road Presence: With its unique coupe roofline and distinctive styling, the Citroen Basalt stands out on the road, offering a strong road presence.
- Efficient Engine Performance: The 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine offers excellent drivability, smooth performance, and responsive throttle, making overtakes and cruising at highway speeds easy.
- Comprehensive Safety Features: The Basalt comes equipped with six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, hill-hold, three-point seatbelts, and a reinforced chassis for improved crashworthiness.
Negatives:
- Lack of Premium Features: The Citroen Basalt misses out on certain premium features like a sunroof, keyless entry, seat ventilation, and a heads-up display, which are commonly found in this price range.
- Rear Visibility Issues: Due to the sloping roofline, rear visibility is somewhat restricted, which could make parking and reversing slightly challenging.
- Inconsistent Quality: While the exterior design is distinctive, the cabin quality is a mixed bag. The glossy black plastics look premium, but the matte finishes feel cheap in comparison.
- Steering and Gearbox Issues: The steering feels unresponsive, especially around the straight-ahead position, and the automatic gearbox can be a bit jerky when shifting from the first to second gear.
Citroen Basalt: Convenience and Technology
The Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV offers a host of convenience features designed to make driving and traveling more comfortable:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Spacious Cabin | Ample space for five passengers with supportive and comfortable seats. |
| Driver’s Visibility | High seating position and slim A-pillars provide good visibility for the driver. |
| Infotainment System | 10.23-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Wireless mirroring and a 15W wireless smartphone charger are included. |
| Citroen Connect Features | Remote engine start, remote door lock/unlock, geo-fencing, and more. |
| Rear Comfort | Rear AC vents, three-step-adjustable thigh support, and winged headrests for rear passengers. |
Negatives in Convenience and Technology:
– The reverse camera has poor resolution, making it difficult to rely on when reversing.
– The absence of keyless entry and start, a 360-degree camera, and a sunroof diminishes the overall premium feel of the Basalt.
Citroen Basalt: Safety Features
Safety is a key focus for the Citroen Basalt, which comes with a comprehensive list of safety features across all variants:
| Safety Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Airbags | Six airbags (driver, passenger, side, and curtain) as standard. |
| Braking and Stability | ABS with EBD, ESP, and hill-hold functionality. |
| Child Safety | ISOFIX child seat anchorages as standard. |
| Additional Safety | Rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring, and rear-view camera. |
Negatives in Safety:
– The Citroen Basalt lacks advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and has yet to receive an NCAP safety rating.
Citroen Basalt: Exterior and Interior Styling
The Citroen Basalt boasts a stylish exterior with a coupe roofline that sets it apart from its competitors. However, the design does come with certain disadvantages.
Positives:
– Distinctive Design: The Basalt features a coupe-like silhouette with a sloping roofline, LED projector headlamps, 3D effect taillamps, and 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.
– Color Options: The Basalt is available in both monotone and dual-tone color options, including Polar White, Steel Grey, Platinum Grey, Cosmo Blue, and Garnet Red.
Negatives:
– Narrow Appearance: From the rear, the Basalt appears narrower than expected, which can detract from its road presence.
– Inconsistent Cabin Quality: While some materials, like the glossy black plastics, add a premium touch, other matte finishes feel cheap and detract from the overall cabin experience.
Citroen Basalt Mileage
The Citroen Basalt offers competitive fuel efficiency figures, with ARAI-certified mileage ranging between 18.7 and 19.5 kmpl depending on the variant.
| Powertrain | Mileage (ARAI) |
|---|---|
| Petrol - Automatic (TC) | 18.7 kmpl |
| Petrol - Manual (1199 cc) | 18.9 kmpl |
Videos of Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV
Conclusion
The Citroen Basalt is a compelling offering in the subcompact SUV segment, particularly for those seeking a vehicle with distinctive styling, spacious interiors, and a comfortable ride. While it misses out on some premium features and has a few drawbacks, such as limited rear visibility and inconsistent cabin quality, it offers a balanced mix of performance, safety, and convenience.
At a starting price of Rs. 7.99 Lakh, the Basalt is competitively priced, making it a strong contender in its segment. Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV is a direct competitor of Newly Launched TATA CURVV COUPE SUV. If you value ride comfort, spaciousness, and unique design, the Citroen Basalt is definitely worth considering for your next vehicle.