KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Citroen's mid-size SUV offering starts from Rs 7.99 lakh
- Petrol motor offered in two states of tune
- Surprisingly spacious, excellent ride quality
- Will this be a game-changer for Citroen?
Citroen's Indian innings hasn't been great so far. Even with three products in its kitty, market share is just 0.10%. However, with the Basalt, they are set for an assault and will eat into multiple segments in one go. Can this be your perfect first 'big' car or are there any shortcomings you should be aware of? Let's divulge into pros and cons of this newest French model - but before we moved ahead, we invite you to join the 91Wheels WhatsApp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.
2024 Citroen Basalt Pros
Value for money
I admit, I wasn't expecting such aggressive pricing for the Basalt. This isn't a sub 4m car and hence, does not enjoy small car tax benefits. With a starting price of Rs 7.99 lakh, the big Basalt locks horns with smaller sub 4m compact SUVs. With the kind of cabin space, ride quality and road presence it brings to the table, this sticker price is going to get a lot of walk-ins into Citroen showrooms.
Competition Check: The nearest mid-size SUV that comes close in terms of pricing is the MG Astor (Rs 9.98 lakh).
Cabin Space
During my drive experience in Goa, the Basalt left a smile on my face with its spacious cabin. Not only are the front seats comfortable, there is a sense of airiness in the cabin. And then the second row - two 6 feet tall adults can sit one behind another and yet the rear passenger will have 4-5 inches of knee room left. The Basalt is one of the most spacious mid-size SUVs on sale in India and inspite of the sloping rear roof, headroom for tall passengers is more than adequate. If you are coming up from a smaller car, the BIG Basalt will keep your family members happy.
Competition Check : All sub 4m SUVs (in same price bracket) offer far less space than the Basalt - this includes shoulder & knee room
Peppy Engine
The 2024 Citroen Basalt has a choice of two engines - a non-turbo 1200cc petrol unit and a turbo-charged unit of the same capacity. The latter makes 110 PS of power which is healthy for the segment. However, what is interesting is the 205 Nm of torque on offer for the 6-speed AT version. This engine-gearbox combination makes the Basalt a responsive car to drive, for both urban runs and highway stints. The engine does not seem to run out of breath easily and can hold serious triple digit speeds all day long. The automatic gearbox itself does not suffer from lag at all.
Competition Check : Both the Venue & Sonet turbo petrols (same price segment) offer 120 PS and 172 Nm of torque.
Ride Quality
Citroen cars are known for exceptional ride quality and we have seen this on the C3 hatchback, C3 Aircross SUV and C5 Aircross. The new Basalt is no different and offers a very comfortable ride experience. The ride becomes better as speeds build up and even taking two wheels off the road while overtaking cars on narrow roads does not upset the handling. While the ride remains great, it does not come at the cost of handling. The 2024 Citroen Basalt offers a great mix of ride & handling and those graduating up from a smaller car will feel at home. Last but not the least, it gets first in segment adjustable rear thigh support!
Competition Check : While the likes of the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue might offer sharper handling, the Basalt ticks the right box of being a comfortable family car.
Design & Size
"More car per car" - Tata Motors used this line for the good old Indica and seems apt to be used here as well. For the asking amount, the Basalt is a large vehicle with a great foot print. Size does matter for a lot of buyers and the Basalt will not disappoint in this regard. Further, the coupe SUV design looks nice and I like the way it looks, both the front angle and the rear one. Yes, the Tata Curvv, another coupe SUV, looks muscular and bling but the Basalt, in order to appeal to a wider audience, plays it safe!
Also read : Honda starts testing the all-new Amaze sedan
2024 Citroen Basalt Cons
Lack of Features
With increasing competition in the industry, manufacturers have been trying to lure customers with a long list of features. This is one area where the Basalt lacks. True, its made to a price point, but those seeking tech, gadgets and aids inside the car, will be disappointed. From the popular sunroof to ventilated seats this coupe SUV misses out on keyless entry & go, a 360-degree camera, cruise control, auto headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming inside rear view mirror etc. Some of these available on top spec versions of smaller cars in India.
Competition Check : Every sub 4m and mid-size SUV offers far more features than the Citroen Basalt
Engine options
While I love the turbo-petrol unit, most rivals offer other fuel types like CNG and diesel engines. This is missing on the Basalt. Further, the non-turbo 1.2 does not get any automatic option, not even an AMT. Those on a budget and looking at convenience will be disappointed in this regard.
Competition Check: Every other option in the price segment has an optional automatic with non-turbo petrol
Limited Network
Being a relatively new brand, Citroen's reach in a vast country like India is limited. There are only 85 outlets of the brand in India and even for cities like Bangalore, there is one sole dealership. So those looking at getting this one home but being from a smaller town will be disappointed.
Competition Check: Every other brand in the same price segment has a wider reach as compared to Citroen's.
Do check out my first drive review of the Basalt here
Verdict
The Basalt is Citroen's best effort till date and will get in good numbers. It looks good, has class leading space, offers a great ride and a peppy turbo motor. However, the shortcomings explained above might deter buyers from getting one home.
