Citroen Basalt X Plus Review: More Affordable Than a Dzire

I spent considerable time with the Basalt X Plus, driving it through city traffic, highway stretches, and broken road sections that Indian buyers deal with every single day. And what I found was a car that quietly challenges a lot of assumptions people make about French carmakers in India, assumptions largely built around Citroen’s limited network rather than the actual product itself.

If you’ve been stuck choosing between a sedan for practicality and an SUV for style, this review might just save you from that dilemma entirely.

Quick Overview: What Exactly Is the Basalt X Plus

The Basalt is Citroen’s coupe-SUV offering for the Indian market, built on the same platform that underpins the C3 Aircross, but wrapped in a sportier, sloping-roofline body style that gives it visual distinction in a segment full of boxy, look-alike compact SUVs.

The X Plus badge represents the updated Basalt X lineup that Citroen introduced with a longer feature list, refreshed cosmetic touches, and genuine value-for-money positioning aimed squarely at buyers who want more than a basic hatchback but aren’t ready to stretch into premium SUV territory.

Here’s the detail that genuinely surprises people. Despite offering SUV proportions, a punchy turbo-petrol engine, and a reasonably long features list, the Basalt X Plus is priced below several sedan variants in the market, including popular choices like the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, a comparison that genuinely reframes how buyers should be thinking about their next car purchase.

Exterior Design Analysis: A Coupe Silhouette That Stands Out

Let’s start with what grabs attention first, because the Basalt’s design is genuinely one of its strongest selling points.

The front fascia features a bold, split headlamp design with LED daytime running lights positioned higher up, and the main headlamp cluster sitting lower in the bumper, a distinctive layout that immediately separates the Basalt from the sea of similarly proportioned compact SUVs on Indian roads. The grille design carries Citroen’s chevron-inspired detailing, giving it a recognisably French design signature.

The side profile is where the coupe styling genuinely shines. A sloping roofline flows smoothly into the rear, creating a sportier, more dynamic silhouette than the typically boxy compact SUV competition. This isn’t just styling for the sake of it, it genuinely makes the Basalt look considerably more expensive than its actual price tag suggests, a detail that matters enormously to buyers who want their car to make a visual statement without stretching their budget.

Around the back, the connected LED tail lamp design and a subtle boot lip spoiler complete the sporty aesthetic. The rear bumper design incorporates a faux skid plate element, reinforcing a touch of SUV ruggedness even though this remains fundamentally a city and highway focused crossover rather than a genuine off-roader.

Colour options include a striking Sunrise Orange, a sophisticated Pearl White, Steel Grey, and Polar White, with dual-tone roof options available on select variants that further enhance the car’s youthful, distinctive appeal.

If you’re the kind of buyer who wants a car that looks noticeably different from every other compact SUV in the parking lot, the Basalt’s coupe styling genuinely delivers on that promise, and it does so at a price point that few rivals can match.

Interior Design and Comfort: Simple, Spacious, and Surprisingly Comfortable

Step inside the Basalt X Plus, and the design philosophy shifts from bold and distinctive to genuinely functional and comfortable.

The dashboard layout is clean and straightforward, dominated by a touchscreen infotainment system that Citroen has positioned prominently for easy access. Material quality is reasonable for this price bracket, with a mix of hard plastics in lower areas and softer touch points around the dashboard top and door armrests.

Seat comfort genuinely stands out as one of the Basalt’s strongest attributes. The seats offer good cushioning and under-thigh support, comfortable enough for longer highway drives without inducing fatigue, a detail that reviewers and owners alike consistently highlight as a genuine strength of this car.

The X Plus variant specifically adds ventilated front seats, a feature rarely found at this price point and genuinely useful during India’s punishing summer months. Push-button start and a smart key system round out the convenience upgrades that separate the X Plus from more basic Basalt variants.

Here’s where things get genuinely interesting for space-conscious buyers. Despite the sloping coupe roofline, rear seat space remains impressively usable, with Citroen managing to preserve genuine headroom and legroom for rear passengers, a detail that isn’t always guaranteed in coupe-styled SUVs where design often compromises practicality.

Boot space is a genuine highlight here, comfortably handling family luggage or a big grocery run without needing to fold down rear seats, making the Basalt a genuinely practical choice for small families despite its sportier body style.

Engine Specifications and Performance: The Heart of the Matter

Now let’s talk about what actually moves this car, because the engine choice genuinely shapes the ownership experience.

The Basalt X Plus is offered with Citroen’s 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, producing 110 PS and 190 Nm of torque with the manual transmission, or 205 Nm when paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

This turbo-petrol engine is genuinely the highlight of the Basalt ownership experience. Power delivery feels punchy and eager, particularly in the mid-range, making overtakes on highways and quick manoeuvres in city traffic feel confident rather than laboured. Several owners and reviewers have noted that the engine’s real-world performance genuinely exceeds what its modest power figures on paper might suggest.

A naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 82 PS is also available on lower variants, though the turbo-petrol unit found in the X Plus is where this car genuinely comes alive and justifies its position against competing sedans and SUVs.

Real-World Driving Experience: This Is Where Things Get Interesting

Numbers on a spec sheet rarely capture the full picture, and this is exactly where the Basalt X Plus genuinely surprises.

Ride quality is consistently one of the most praised aspects of this car, with owners frequently comparing it favourably even against entry-level luxury vehicles. The suspension tuning absorbs broken roads, potholes, and speed breakers with a composure that few rivals in this price bracket manage to replicate, making it a genuinely comfortable daily companion on India’s inconsistent road surfaces.

In city driving, the turbo-petrol engine’s low-end punch means you rarely need to work the gearbox hard to keep pace with traffic, reducing driving fatigue during daily commutes. On the highway, the car feels stable and composed at cruising speeds, with the automatic transmission delivering smooth, unobtrusive shifts that complement the relaxed driving character this car is clearly tuned for.

But here’s the catch that potential buyers should genuinely understand before committing. The three-cylinder engine, while punchy, does carry a slightly noticeable characteristic thrum at higher revs, something buyers coming from four-cylinder engines might need a short adjustment period to get used to. It’s not unpleasant, but it’s a distinctive engine note worth being aware of during your test drive.

Steering feels light and easy at parking speeds, making city manoeuvring genuinely stress-free, though it doesn’t offer the sharpest, most engaging feedback at higher speeds, a reasonable trade-off given this car’s clear positioning as a comfortable, practical daily driver rather than a driver-focused performance vehicle.

Mileage and Fuel Efficiency: Genuinely Competitive Figures

Fuel efficiency is where the Basalt X Plus continues to make a genuinely strong case for itself against pricier sedan and SUV rivals.

According to ARAI certified figures, the Basalt X returns approximately 18 to 19.5 kmpl depending on the specific variant and transmission choice. In real-world city driving conditions, expect figures in the range of 13 to 15 kmpl, with highway efficiency improving to approximately 17 to 18 kmpl during sensible, steady-speed cruising.

These are genuinely competitive figures for a turbo-petrol engine, and buyers consistently note that while turbo-petrol engines across the industry tend to be somewhat thirstier than naturally aspirated alternatives, the Basalt’s efficiency remains reasonable given the punchy performance on offer.

Features and Technology: A Genuinely Long List for the Price

The X Plus variant specifically represents Citroen’s answer to buyer feedback requesting more equipment without a dramatic price jump, and it delivers convincingly on that promise.

Standard and available features include a touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, ventilated front seats, push-button start, and dual-tone interior upholstery that adds a genuinely premium touch to the cabin ambiance.

Citroen has also introduced Cara, an in-car voice assistant capable of handling vehicle health status updates, traffic and route optimisation, hands-free calling, emergency SOS functions, and even real-time flight tracking, a genuinely thoughtful, modern touch rarely found at this price point.

Safety Features: A Solid, No-Nonsense Package

The Basalt X Plus comes equipped with dual airbags as standard, with higher variants offering additional airbag coverage, along with anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, and rear parking sensors complementing the 360-degree camera system mentioned earlier.

Hill hold assist and a reasonably rigid body structure round out the safety credentials, giving buyers genuine peace of mind without needing to stretch into a significantly higher price bracket to access these features.

Price and Variants

Here’s where the Basalt X Plus makes its most compelling argument, genuinely undercutting several popular sedans on price while offering SUV styling and a turbo-petrol engine option.

Variant | Approximate Price (INR, Ex-Showroom) Basalt X You | 8.55 lakh Basalt X Plus | 9.99 lakh Basalt X Plus Turbo | 11.50 lakh Basalt X Plus Turbo AT | 12.67 lakh Basalt X Max Turbo AT DT | 13.95 lakh

For comparison, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire’s higher variants comfortably cross into similar or even higher price territory, making the Basalt X Plus a genuinely compelling alternative for buyers who want SUV styling without stretching their budget beyond a sedan’s asking price.

Competitor Comparison

Here’s how the Citroen Basalt X Plus stacks up against key rivals in the budget coupe-SUV and sedan segment.

Model | Engine | Power | Mileage | Price Range (INR) Citroen Basalt X Plus | 1.2L Turbo Petrol | 110 PS | 18-19.5 kmpl | 9.99-12.67 lakh Maruti Suzuki Dzire | 1.2L Petrol | 90 PS | 22-24 kmpl | 9-13 lakh Tata Nexon | 1.2L Turbo Petrol | 120 PS | 17-18 kmpl | 8-15.5 lakh Hyundai Venue | 1.0L Turbo Petrol | 120 PS | 17-18.7 kmpl | 8-14.5 lakh

The Basalt X Plus holds a genuinely strong position here, offering SUV proportions and turbo-petrol punch at a price point that comfortably competes with, and often undercuts, popular sedan rivals like the Dzire.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Genuinely undercuts sedan rivals like the Dzire while offering SUV styling

Excellent ride quality that handles broken roads with genuine composure

Punchy turbo-petrol engine with strong real-world performance

Spacious boot and usable rear seat space despite coupe roofline

Feature-rich X Plus variant offering ventilated seats and a 360-degree camera at a reasonable price

Cons

Citroen’s limited service network in India remains a genuine concern for long-term ownership

Three-cylinder engine note may take some adjustment for buyers used to four-cylinder engines

Fuel efficiency trails naturally aspirated sedan rivals like the Dzire

Resale value remains uncertain given Citroen’s smaller market presence in India

Who Should Buy the Basalt X Plus

If you want SUV styling and a punchy turbo-petrol driving experience without stretching your budget beyond what a basic sedan would cost, the Basalt X Plus is a genuinely compelling option worth serious consideration.

It’s also an excellent choice for buyers who prioritise ride comfort and a distinctive design over chasing the widest possible service network or the highest resale value in the segment.

Who Should Avoid It

If dealership network reliability and long-term resale value are non-negotiable priorities for you, particularly in smaller towns and cities, more established mainstream brands may serve your needs more confidently.

Buyers who prioritise outright fuel efficiency above all else may also find better options among naturally aspirated sedan rivals in this segment.

Expert Verdict

The Citroen Basalt X Plus makes a genuinely bold argument that challenges how Indian buyers typically think about the sedan versus SUV decision. It offers style, comfort, and turbo-petrol performance at a price point that comfortably undercuts several popular sedans, including the Dzire.

The one genuine hesitation for most buyers remains Citroen’s still-developing service network in India, a legitimate concern worth weighing carefully. But purely as a product, the Basalt X Plus punches well above its price tag, and buyers willing to look past brand network anxieties will find a genuinely rewarding ownership experience waiting for them.

If you’ve been torn between a practical sedan and a stylish SUV, the Basalt X Plus might just be the answer that ends that dilemma for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Citroen Basalt X Plus really cheaper than the Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Yes, several Basalt X Plus variants are priced at or below comparable Dzire variants, making it a genuinely competitive alternative for buyers comparing the two.

What is the mileage of the Citroen Basalt X Plus

The Basalt X Plus returns approximately 18 to 19.5 kmpl as per ARAI certified figures, with real-world city mileage typically between 13 to 15 kmpl.

Does the Basalt X Plus come with an automatic transmission option

Yes, the Basalt X Plus Turbo is available with a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox alongside the standard manual transmission option.

Is Citroen’s service network a genuine concern for Basalt buyers

Yes, Citroen’s dealership and service network remains smaller compared to mainstream manufacturers, and this is a legitimate factor buyers should research carefully based on their specific city or region.

How does the Citroen Basalt X Plus compare to the Tata Nexon and Hyundai Venue

The Basalt X Plus offers a more distinctive coupe design and strong ride quality, though the Nexon and Venue offer wider service networks and slightly higher safety ratings in some markets.