The Citroen Basalt X, with its unique coupe-SUV design, is one of Citroen’s contenders in the competitive midsize SUV space. If you’re in the market for a coupe-SUV, we list out the pros and cons of the Basalt X to help you decide whether it's the right choice for you.
Ride and handling
Fantastic ride and handling for its class.
The Basalt really impressed us with its ride and handling in our review. The suspension’s softer tuning and its ability to absorb bumps and bad roads are among the best in its class. At all speeds, the ride is pliant as well. The experience is further enhanced by its light and direct steering – that aids manoeuvrability – and its high ground clearance.
Turbo petrol engine performance
Brisk responses with decent fuel efficiency.
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The Basalt X is available with a 110hp, 3-cylinder 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 190Nm with the 6-speed manual and 205Nm with the 6-speed automatic. In our experience, we found the Basalt X’s turbo-petrol engine to be quite responsive. There's some lag at first, but once the turbo kicks in, the performance is brisk. Moreover, the turbo-petrol AT achieved a decent 9.87kpl and 15.01kpl in the city and highway, respectively, in our real-world tests.
Space and comfort
Good headroom at the rear despite coupe roofline.
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For a midsize coupe-SUV, the Basalt X offers great rear seat space. It can comfortably accommodate three average-sized adults in the rear, with good seat cushioning and winged headrests. Despite its coupe roofline, there's enough headroom for adults. Also unique to the top trim of the Basalt X is a 3-step manually adjustable under-thigh support for the rear seat, which further enhances comfort.
Value for money
Affordable midsize SUV priced similarly to compact SUVs.
The Basalt X is priced from Rs 7.95 lakh to Rs 13.10 lakh. This makes the Basalt a value-for-money offering, as it is a midsize SUV priced on par with compact SUVs. The Basalt X brings in a lot more space, a plush ride and a standout design. For context, the top X Max trim with the turbo-petrol engine is almost Rs 1.7 lakh cheaper than the Hyundai Venue turbo-petrol DCT – an SUV that’s a segment below. It may miss out on a few feel-good features (see below), but it does pack in all the useful ones.
Now, here are a few negatives of the Basalt X.
Naturally aspirated petrol’s gearbox
Manual gearbox doesn’t respond well to shifts.
The Basalt X also comes with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 82hp and 115Nm, which is peppy enough for city use, but could do with more smoothness and refinement. Also, the clutch response is snappy, and the gearbox is notchy. The same goes for the turbo-petrol manual as well. However, the naturally aspirated petrol returned an acceptable mileage of 11.77kpl and 15.83kpl in the city and highway, respectively, in our tests.
Still misses some features
Misses out on some feel-good features.
The ‘X’ update to the Basalt brings features like a soft-touch dashboard, ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera (dealer-installed), and an onboard digital assistant. Moreover, it comes with a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charger, and connected car tech. However, the Basalt X still misses out on features like a sunroof, ADAS, drive and traction modes, telescopic steering adjustment, a powered tailgate, a powered driver’s seat, and a premium audio system, features its competitors have. Moreover, most midsize SUVs come with 17-inch rims, while the Basalt X only gets 16-inch alloys.
Limited dealer network
Could be a dealbreaker for those who find Citroen touchpoints far.
Citroen is still a relatively new brand in India, with a limited dealer and service network. This may deter potential customers from buying a Basalt, as most dealers are available only in metropolitan areas.
Suraj Viswanathan
