Citroen Basalt X Plus review: More affordable than a Dzire

Citroen recently introduced the Basalt X, giving this stylish coupe-crossover an extensive update. With this, Citroen has addressed some of its shortcomings and has made this car a lot more appealing – it gets a completely new interior and a longer list of features. Powertrain options have been carried over from the previous version – there’s an 82hp 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 110hp 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol mated to either a 6-speed manual or an automatic gearbox. The focus of this text is on its petrol engine to see whether it is worth considering.

Citroen Basalt X Exterior Design and Engineering - 9/10

Looks distinctive and is larger than any other car available at a similar price.

The Citroen Basalt’s sleek, coupe-like rear design, with its sloping roofline and sculpted tail, lends it a distinct identity. SUV cues come from its 180mm ground clearance and chunky body cladding available from the Plus variant onwards (missing on the You variant). The entry-level petrol variants get 16-inch steel wheels with dark grey plastic wheel caps. Measuring 4,352mm long and 1,765mm wide, with a 2,651mm wheelbase, the Basalt is larger than any other car available at a similar price.

Citroen Basalt X Interior, Space and Comfort - 8/10

New dash design available from the Plus variant onwards ups its desirability multifold.

With the Basalt X, Citroen has thoroughly revamped the cabin, starting from the Plus variant (the base You variant carries forward the outgoing version’s dashboard design). The dashboard now features a layered design with a light-and-dark grey colour theme, complemented by gloss-black panels, silver-finished switches, a new instrument cluster and a free-standing touchscreen. Together, these updates make the interior feel far more premium.

While the seats on the petrol variants aren’t height-adjustable, their default position is set on the higher side, giving drivers a commanding view of the road. Rear-seat space is surprisingly generous despite the coupe-like sloping roofline. Passengers get three fixed headrests and 3-point seatbelts, though rear AC vents are limited to the higher variants.

Boot space is another highlight – at 470 litres, it’s the largest in its class and even more than some cars from a segment above. The hatchback-style opening makes loading and unloading luggage easy, and folding down the rear seats adds even more flexibility.

Citroen Basalt X Features and Safety - 7/10

While standard safety features are welcome, it still lacks smaller features available in similarly priced cars.

The Basalt petrol is offered in two entry-level trims – You and Plus. Standard safety is commendable, with 6 airbags, ESP and hill-hold assist across both.

The Plus variant, however, is the one to go for, as it adds a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, powered folding mirrors, dual-tone interiors and a tyre-pressure monitoring system.

Citroen Basalt X Performance - 7/10

The engine is peppy, although not as smooth or refined as Maruti’s Z-series.

It isn’t as smooth or as refined as Maruti’s Z-Series engine (Dzire), and while idling, you will feel some vibrations in the Citroen’s cabin. The clutch feels a bit heavy, and the gearbox works fine in everyday use, but its notchy shifts aren’t suited to quick gear changes.

Citroen Basalt X Mileage - 6/10

Basalt petrol isn’t as efficient as its turbo-petrol version.

In terms of efficiency, the NA petrol’s 18kpl figure is actually lower than the turbo-petrol’s, which returns 19.5kpl (manual) and 18.7kpl (automatic). So the turbo is not just quicker but also more efficient, making it the more appealing choice overall.

Citroen Basalt X Ride Comfort and Handling - 9/10

Outstanding ride and handling balance make the Basalt feel like a much more expensive car.

What really sets it apart, though, is its ride quality. The suspension smoothens out rough roads and potholes with remarkable ease, giving the Basalt the feel of a much more expensive car. At all speeds, it remains planted and confident.

Citroen Basalt X Price and Verdict - 7/10

It's more desirable now and good value too; certainly worth considering. 

The Basalt X is priced between Rs 7.95 lakh and Rs 9.42 lakh for the petrol and Rs 10.82 lakh and Rs 13.11 lakh for the turbo-petrol. This makes it an exceptional value-for-money car, with the petrol undercutting the Maruti Dzire, a much smaller sedan. The new interior and features make it a lot more desirable now. Additionally, the Citroen’s biggest strengths are its sensible packaging, cavernous boot and outstanding ride and handling balance. If you have a Citroen sales and service touchpoint nearby, the Basalt X is worth considering.