Citroen Basalt

If you are looking for something with similar performance to the Citroen Basalt/Aircross, you should consider the Volkswagen Taigun or the Skoda Kushaq with the 1.0 TSI and torque converter automatic. The facelifted Kushaq now gets an 8-speed automatic replacing the old 6-speed unit, and the Taigun will get the same when it is facelifted later this year.

The 1.0 TSI makes a healthy 115hp and 178Nm, which delivers better performance than the naturally aspirated engine in the Elevate and is on par with the Basalt. The 6-speed torque converter automatic was also smooth-shifting and very convenient to use, and we expect the 8-speed to be more of the same. With 80 percent of your driving in heavy Bengaluru traffic, this transmission will be a boon.

Prices for the facelifted Kushaq will be announced later this month, and we expect our first drive reviews to drop around the same time. Before you decide, take a test drive, of course.

While Citroen's sales figures are low, rest assured, the carmaker has no plans or intention to leave our market. India is a major production base for Citroen, and the company is heavily invested here. 

Citroen's poor sales performance is actually not reflective of the products, which are well-engineered and well-suited to Indian buyer requirements. The Basalt X stands out for its ride comfort and also has a very pleasant 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine, which feels its best with the smooth auto gearbox. Citroen has also jazzed up the cabin with the Basalt X, and this has added greatly to its appeal. 

If you like the Basalt X and have a Citroen dealer in close proximity, it's a great car to buy. 

 

Yes, you are justified in worrying about the service network and quality. So far, there are very few dealers, and service quality is a mixed bag. Some owners report good quality service, and others complain about service quality and the delay in parts procurement. 

In terms of long term stability, going the GM and Ford way isn't likely, not at least for the next few years, this year there won't be any mega launches, but the company is working on a revamped India plan. Moreover, the company is doing very well commercially thanks to a very robust spares and components export business. 

Given how tall the driver is, the obvious answer would be to skip past the compact segment and into the midsize sedan and SUV segment. However, at a budget of Rs 16 lakh, you would only get an entry-level version of most midsize cars. 

There are, however, two exceptions - the Citroen Aircross X and Basalt X. Both these crossovers will be available in fully loaded turbo-petrol automatic guises at just over Rs 16 lakh on road. 

With the latest X update, it now offers a good selection of features and upmarket interiors. The space and comfort on offer are superb, as is the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine and 6-speed AT combination. 

However, Citroen's service network is limited, so if you want an alternative, check out the Kia Syros. Though compact, it offers a lot of space, even for tall drivers.

Yes, the Citroen Basalt X will be better in both aspects that you desire. The turbo-charged engine is very peppy and is nice to drive, and the ride of the car is excellent, a typical Citroen hallmark. 

We would rule out the Tata Nexon turbo as the power delivery isn't very strong like other typical turbo engines. If you want to consider something other than the Citroen, test drive the turbo version of the Nissan Magnite. 

The 1.0-litre unit has a good mid-range punch and is something that you would enjoy.