Citroen Basalt X

Once we stepped inside the Basalt X, the difference from the older model was stark and immediately obvious to us. Citroen clearly took harsh customer feedback to heart.

Cabin Layout and Quality

The hard, cheap plastics are largely gone, replaced by a much more welcoming and premium environment.

Our car&bike team notes,

"The dashboard undergoes a noticeable redesign, featuring a more squared-off layout complemented by a dual-tone finish and a textured pattern along the upper panel’s edge."

You now get glossy piano black inserts on the centre console, sleeker air conditioning vents, and soft-touch materials right where your hands naturally rest. The steering wheel features a proper leather wrap, greatly improving the tactile feel while driving. Furthermore, the hazard switch has smartly moved between the air vents for much easier reach.

Seating Comfort

Front Row

The front seats are wide, generously padded, and highly supportive for taller frames. In a massive upgrade for our hot Indian summers, ventilated front seats are now available on the top trims. The new sliding central armrest makes long highway drives much less tiring for the driver. However, powered seat adjustments are still missing from the equipment list, which feels odd at this price point.

Second Row

Despite the aggressively sloping roof, rear-seat headroom is surprisingly decent for average-sized adults. The standout feature here is the adjustable under-thigh support, a rare segment-first trick that makes a huge difference in passenger comfort. Knee room is ample, and the inclusion of rear AC vents and USB charging ports keeps passengers completely relaxed on long intercity trips.

Features That Improve Daily Use

• 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with fast, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• New seven-inch TFT digital driver display with a sharper, cleaner interface.
• 'Cara' AI voice assistant that effectively handles complex, contextual commands.
• Automatic climate control and customisable ambient lighting.
• Push-button start/stop and handy cruise control for open roads.
• Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror to block harsh headlight glare.

Bilal observes,

“Unlike basic voice commands, this system, powered by tech similar to ChatGPT or Gemini, can handle seven to nine levels of complexity.”

Citroen has aggressively priced the Basalt X to heavily undercut traditional boxy SUVs in the market. The introductory prices now start at a highly tempting Rs. 7.95 lakh, but the top-spec automatic variant stretches up to Rs. 13.74 lakh. This sharp pricing strategy forces buyers to consider it against premium hatchbacks and sub-four-metre SUVs seriously.

Interestingly, the optional 360-degree camera costs an extra Rs. 25,000, while stylish dual-tone paint schemes add Rs. 21,000 to your final bill.

Ex-Showroom Prices (India)

Fuel efficiency is incredibly crucial in this competitive segment, and the Basalt X puts up respectable numbers across the board. The 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine is quite frugal on paper, claiming an ARAI figure of around 18 kmpl. The punchier turbo-petrol manual actually posts a slightly higher ARAI claim of 19.5 kmpl, while the automatic version drops slightly to 18.7 kmpl.

In our real-world tests, heavy city traffic brought the automatic down to around 9–11 kmpl. The climate control works hard to keep the large cabin cool, which naturally eats into fuel efficiency. On the highway, light throttle inputs easily yield figures between 15 and 16 kmpl. It is perfectly in line with what you would expect from a small-capacity turbo engine hauling a relatively heavy crossover.

Observed Fuel Efficiency During Testing

The safety equipment list has seen a much-needed revision to meet modern buyer expectations. The brand has finally brought essential protective gear to the Basalt X, although it still trails slightly behind a few rivals offering high-end driver assists.

Passive Safety and Crash Protection

Citroen now gives six airbags in the coupe-SUV across its entire range. The high-strength steel body shell feels reasonably solid, and there are three-point seatbelts for all passengers, along with ISOFIX child seat mounts. The car also recently received a four-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP.

Active Safety and Stability Systems

Electronic Stability Program and hill-hold assist effectively prevent the vehicle from rolling back on steep inclines. A standard tyre pressure monitoring system continuously alerts you to sudden punctures. You get standard ABS with EBD for heavily controlled emergency braking. The top trims now offer an optional 360-degree camera, which takes the stress out of parking in tight city spots.

Safety Verdict

While the Basalt X covers the absolute safety basics quite well, the complete lack of Level 2 ADAS features honestly puts it behind the technology curve compared to the Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos.

The technology in the updated Basalt X reflects a much-needed evolution over the earlier iteration; it has traded basic functionality for a cabin that feels considerably more equipped and modern.

Infotainment and Interface

• A crisp 10.25-inch touchscreen takes centre stage, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• The interface feels responsive and avoids the annoying lag that plagues some older systems.
• The most significant addition is the segment-first 'Cara' AI voice assistant.

Cabin Convenience and Practical Features

• Comfort gets a huge bump with ventilated front seats, which are a godsend in our climate.
• The Max trim exclusively brings push-button start/stop, cruise control, and an auto-dimming inside mirror.
• Rear passengers get dedicated USB charging ports.

The car&bike team observes,

“The dashboard has gone through a noticeable redesign; now, it has a more squared-off layout complemented by a dual-tone finish and a textured pattern along the upper panel’s edge.”

At 470 litres, the boot space is quite a lot. The sloping coupe roofline also does not eat into the cargo capacity as much as you would expect. The wide opening and the fairly manageable loading lip let you easily put in a couple of large suitcases here, besides a few soft bags. Without a doubt, it is one of the most practical cars in this segment.

The Citroen Basalt X glides over India's notoriously bad tarmac with a suppleness that most rivals cannot match. The setup absorbs sharp jolts well, and the cabin rarely ever feels unsettled.

City Driving

In urban traffic, the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with the six-speed automatic feels effortless. The steering is light enough to help you squeeze through awful traffic jams without breaking a sweat. If you pick the automatic, it shifts predictably in stop-and-go situations. The suspension is the true hero of the package, though. It simply glides over broken tarmac and sudden potholes, isolating you from the nasty jolts that usually rattle crossover cabins.

Highway Driving

Out on the open road, the coupe SUV feels planted and secure at triple-digit speeds. The turbo engine has a punchy mid-range, making highway cruising a relaxed affair. While there is a bit of body roll in the corners due to the comfort-oriented suspension, it never feels alarming. Overall, the mechanical grip is commendable, keeping you confident behind the wheel.

The Citroen Basalt X keeps its lineup simple with three primary variants: You, Plus, and Max. The top-spec Max is where you unlock the best tech and comfort additions.

The Essentials That You Don’t Get

Even in the fully-loaded Max trim, the Basalt X misses out on:

• A panoramic sunroof
• Electronic seat adjustment
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Choosing the right Basalt X depends entirely on how you plan to use it and the premium you are willing to pay for convenience.

Best for Budget-Conscious City Commutes: Basalt X You

If your primary goal is to get that head-turning coupe SUV stance without breaking the bank, the base 'You' trim makes sense. It covers the basics, but also note that it leaves out the creature comforts.

Best for Everyday Automatic Use: Basalt X Plus AT

The Plus variant paired with the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and the six-speed automatic is the sweet spot. It gives you the necessary tech, a responsive engine, and the convenience of an automatic for daily traffic battles.

Best for Feature and Tech Focus: Basalt X Max AT

If you want the full-fat experience, go for the Max. The addition of ventilated seats, the clever 'Cara' AI assistant, and the plusher cabin make it feel like a genuinely premium product.

Bilal commends the top-tier experience,

“With a refreshed cabin, more competitive pricing, and a much stronger feature list, it finally feels like the premium coupe SUV it was always meant to be.”