Citroen Basalt

The 2025 Citroen Basalt is offered with two petrol engine options. The entry-level engine is a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol unit, producing 82 PS of power and 115 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. For those seeking more performance, there is a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that delivers a healthier 110 PS of power and 190 Nm (manual) or 205 Nm (automatic) of torque. 

This turbo engine is available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

In terms of performance, the naturally aspirated engine is suitable for city commutes, offering decent driveability at lower speeds. However, for highway cruising or spirited driving, the turbocharged engine is significantly better, providing stronger acceleration and a more engaging experience. 

The 6-speed automatic transmission is a welcome addition, offering convenience in urban traffic. Fuel economy is rated by ARAI at around 18 kmpl for the naturally aspirated engine and 18.7-19.5 kmpl for the turbo-petrol engine, which are respectable figures for the segment. Real-world mileage will vary based on driving conditions and style.

Ride and Handling

A key strength of the 2025 Citroen Basalt, inherited from its C-Cubed platform siblings, is its comfortable ride quality. 

The suspension is tuned to be absorbent, effectively soaking up bumps, potholes, and uneven surfaces, providing a plush and comfortable ride for occupants, particularly at lower speeds. This makes it well-suited for navigating typical Indian city roads.

Handling is predictable and stable, leaning towards comfort rather than outright sportiness. The steering is light at low speeds, aiding maneuverability in urban traffic and parking.

While it feels stable on highways, it may exhibit some body roll during quick directional changes or aggressive cornering, which is expected given its comfort-oriented suspension setup and higher stance. The high ground clearance is beneficial for tackling rough patches without scraping the underbody. Overall, the ride and handling balance prioritizes passenger comfort, making it a pleasant vehicle for daily commutes and family trips.

The interior of the 2025 Citroen Basalt shares many design cues and components with the C3 Aircross, featuring a dashboard layout that is functional and modern. The cabin is designed to be spacious, particularly for the front and rear passengers in the 5-seater configuration. The rear seat is comfortable for two adults, with decent legroom and adjustable thigh support on some variants, though accommodating three adults might be a squeeze for longer journeys.

Material quality is a mix, with some hard plastics present, but the overall fit and finish are generally acceptable for the price segment. Higher variants feature a dual-tone theme and potentially better upholstery materials. Storage spaces are practical, including a decent glovebox and door pockets.

Boot space is a highlight, with a generous 470 litres of capacity, which is quite large for this segment and benefits from the coupe design not having a traditional upright tailgate. While the design is shared with siblings, the focus is on providing a comfortable and practical cabin experience. Features like rear AC vents are available on higher variants.

Infotainment

The infotainment system in the 2025 Citroen Basalt is centered around a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, which is a standard feature on most variants. The system is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing for seamless smartphone mirroring. The interface is user-friendly and responsive, providing access to various functions including media, connectivity, and vehicle settings.

Accompanying the touchscreen is a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, which provides essential driving information clearly to the driver.

Higher variants come equipped with features like a 6-speaker audio system, including tweeters, for better sound quality. The Basalt also offers connected car features via the Citroen Connect application, providing functionalities like remote operations, geo-fencing, and vehicle health status. While the system is generally good, the resolution of the reverse parking camera on some variants has been noted as average.

The most striking aspect of the 2025 Citroen Basalt's exterior is its SUV-coupe silhouette, a design trend typically seen in higher segments. The front fascia shares elements with the C3 Aircross, featuring Citroen's signature double-slat grille extending into the LED daytime running lights, positioned above the main headlamp units. The profile is where the Basalt truly differentiates itself, with a gracefully sloping roofline that merges into a distinctive rear design, giving it a fastback-like appearance. The rear features unique LED taillights and a sculpted boot lid.

Dimensionally, the Basalt measures 4352 mm in length, 1765 mm in width, and 1593 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2651 mm, which is generous for its class and contributes to interior space. 

The ground clearance is rated at 205 mm, making it capable of handling typical Indian road conditions with ease. The design incorporates elements like body cladding and skid plates to retain an SUV stance despite the coupe roofline. Alloy wheel designs are available on higher variants, enhancing the visual appeal. The Basalt is offered in a range of monotone and dual-tone colour options, allowing for personalization.

Safety is a key consideration, and the 2025 Citroen Basalt has received a commendable 4-star safety rating in the Bharat NCAP crash tests for both Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and Child Occupant Protection (COP). 

This is a significant positive for the vehicle. The Basalt comes equipped with a range of safety features as standard across all variants, including 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Hold Control, and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Other safety features include a reverse parking camera with sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, and a 3-point seatbelt for all occupants with reminders. The body structure utilizes high-strength steel in key areas to enhance crashworthiness. 

While it doesn't offer advanced ADAS features found in some higher-segment vehicles, the standard safety kit is comprehensive for its price range and the 4-star Bharat NCAP rating provides a good level of assurance regarding occupant safety.

The 2025 Citroen Basalt competes in a unique space, primarily challenging the Tata Curvv as a direct SUV-coupe rival.

It also competes with top variants of compact SUVs like the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, and Mahindra XUV 3XO, as well as lower to mid variants of larger compact SUVs such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. Priced from ₹8.32 Lakh to ₹14.10 Lakh ex-showroom, the Basalt is positioned competitively, often undercutting similarly equipped variants of traditional compact SUVs.

Compared to the Tata Curvv, the Basalt offers a similar body style but might compete more aggressively on price, especially at the lower end. Against traditional compact SUVs, the Basalt stands out with its design and potentially better ride comfort, while rivals might offer a wider range of features or powertrain options. 

The 4-star Bharat NCAP rating is a significant advantage against some competitors in this price bracket. While mainstream rivals benefit from a wider service network and higher brand recognition, the Basalt aims to attract buyers with its unique styling and focus on comfort and value. Its success will depend on how well its distinctive design and core strengths resonate with Indian buyers against the established players.

The 2025 Citroen Basalt is a bold and interesting addition to the Indian automotive landscape, offering a unique SUV-coupe body style at a competitive price point. It successfully leverages the strengths of the C-Cubed platform, particularly in terms of ride comfort and interior space (for a 5-seater). 

The availability of a capable turbo-petrol engine with automatic transmission options, coupled with a commendable 4-star Bharat NCAP safety rating and a comprehensive standard safety kit, makes it a well-rounded package. While it shares some interior elements with its siblings and faces the challenge of establishing a stronger service network, its distinctive design, comfortable ride, and value proposition are significant positives.

For Indian buyers who are looking for a vehicle that stands out from the crowd, prioritizes comfort, and offers a good balance of features and performance without breaking the bank, the 2025 Citroen Basalt is a compelling option.

It's a worthwhile purchase for those who appreciate its unique styling and are willing to consider a newer brand in the market. Among the variants, the turbo-petrol options, especially the automatic, offer the best blend of performance and convenience, making them the recommended choice for most buyers.