Citroen's two compact SUVs, the Basalt and the C3 Aircross, have a lot in common. However, how do they stack up against each other on paper? Let's break it down.
Key Highlights
- Citroen Basalt starts at ₹7.99 lakh (ex-showroom).
- Citroen C3 Aircross is wider, taller, and has a longer wheelbase than the Basalt.
- Both SUVs feature a turbo-petrol engine, but the Basalt also has a non-turbo option.
After introducing the C3 Aircross in India last year, Citroen has strengthened its presence in the compact SUV segment with the new Basalt. The Basalt, essentially a coupe-SUV sibling to the C3 Aircross, shares many features and powertrain options with the latter. So, how do these two Citroen SUVs compare?
Dimensions Comparison
|
Specification |
Citroen Basalt |
Citroen C3 Aircross |
|
Length |
4,352 mm |
4,323 mm |
|
Width |
1,765 mm |
1,796 mm |
|
Height |
1,593 mm |
1,665-1,669 mm |
|
Wheelbase |
2,651 mm |
2,671 mm |
|
Boot Space |
470 liters |
444 liters (5-seater) / 44-511 liters (5+2-seater) |
While the Basalt is longer, the C3 Aircross is wider, taller, and has a longer wheelbase by 20 mm. The Basalt offers more boot space at 470 liters, surpassing the 444 liters available in the 5-seat C3 Aircross. However, the 5+2 seater Aircross provides up to 511 liters with the third-row seats removed, thanks to the forward-mounted middle row.
Powertrain Comparison
Both SUVs share similar powertrain options, but the Basalt also offers a naturally aspirated 1.2-liter engine producing 80.5 bhp and 115 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The turbo-petrol engines in both models generate identical power and torque figures, though the Basalt claims slightly better fuel efficiency. With peak torque available from as low as 1,750 rpm, both SUVs should deliver strong off-the-line performance.
Features Comparison
The Basalt introduces new features that will soon be available in the C3 Aircross, including LED projector headlamps, auto climate control, wireless phone charging, and more. The Basalt also comes with six airbags as standard, whereas the current C3 Aircross only offers two. The fully loaded C3 Aircross currently lacks some of the Basalt’s features, although an updated version with added features is expected soon.
Interestingly, the base C3 Aircross offers more tech compared to the entry-level Basalt, including power windows, a Bluetooth-enabled audio system, and a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster. The 5+2 seater C3 Aircross variants also include rear air-con vents, which are missing from the Basalt.
Price Comparison
|
Model |
Price (Ex-showroom) |
|
Citroen Basalt |
₹7.99 - ₹13.83 lakh |
|
Citroen C3 Aircross 5-seat |
₹9.99 - ₹13.98 lakh |
|
Citroen C3 Aircross 5+2-seat |
₹11.96 - ₹14.33 lakh |
The Citroen Basalt has a competitive starting price of ₹7.99 lakh, though its base variant is quite basic. The top-spec Basalt is ₹15,000 cheaper than the fully-loaded C3 Aircross 5-seater, while the 5+2 seater C3 Aircross costs ₹35,000 more than the 5-seater variant.
Also Read: Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Maruti Suzuki Jimny: A Clash of Compact Off-Roaders
