Citroen recently refreshed its Basalt line-up by introducing the Basalt X in place of the earlier version. The original model already excelled in core areas—comfort, space, and build—but lacked the feature depth needed to stand out. The Basalt X fixes exactly that.
We drove the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol automatic Max dual-tone variant for several days, and it delivered some interesting surprises.
Why You Should Consider It
- Outstanding ride comfort
- Spacious and practical cabin
- Stylish coupe-SUV design
Why You Might Not
- Poor rear visibility
- Jerky low-speed behaviour
- Engine becomes noisy at high revs
Design
The Basalt X stands out without trying too hard. The front sports:
- Slim LED DRLs
- Square LED headlamps
- A wide black grille
- Subtle red accents
From the side, the coupe-style roofline gives the Basalt X a unique silhouette among compact SUVs. The 16-inch dual-tone wheels and thick black cladding add visual strength.
At the rear, broad shoulders, protruding LED tail-lamps, and a chunky bumper complete its sporty look. The overall design feels cohesive and confident.
Interior & Features
Step inside and the beige-and-black cabin immediately feels premium. Golden accents, textured panels, and mood lighting add richness. Some cost-cutting is noticeable, but not intrusive.
Highlights
- 7-inch digital driver’s display
- 10.25-inch touchscreen (smooth and bright)
- Wireless Android Auto
- Physical AC toggles with mini-display
- Auto-fold ORVMs
- Ambient lighting
Front Seats
- Supportive backrest
- Good headroom and legroom
- Ventilated seats work well (but are noisy)
- Tilt-only steering adjustment
- No height-adjustable seatbelts
- Decent storage space and a proper dead pedal
Rear Seats
- Comfortable for two adults
- Good knee and legroom
- Sufficient headroom for average-height passengers
- Rear armrest with cupholders
But:
- Not ideal for three adults
- Centre tunnel and rear AC console intrude
- Fixed backrest; no recline
- Average thigh support
Boot
A major strength of the Basalt X. The boot is spacious with minimal intrusions. The loading lip is high, but practicality remains strong.
Safety & Tech
- BNCAP 4-star rating
- Six airbags
- ESP, hill-hold
- ISOFIX
- TPMS
- Optional 360-degree camera
- Citroen CARA voice assistant
There’s still no sunroof, which some buyers may miss.
Performance
The Basalt X uses a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine producing:
- 108 bhp / 190 Nm (manual)
- 108 bhp / 205 Nm (automatic)
The torque-converter automatic makes the SUV feel energetic and eager.
Strengths
- Quick initial response
- Strong mid-range
- Smooth highway cruising
- Clean acceleration to the redline
- Smooth upshifts
Weaknesses
- Engine noise intrudes at high rpm
- Start/stop is overly aggressive
- Jerky behaviour at low speeds
- Gearbox hesitant during downshifts
- Can feel strained in dense traffic
Rear visibility is limited due to the sloped glass and thick pillars, making the rear camera essential.Ride & Handling
Ride Quality
This is the Basalt X’s biggest strength.
- Plush and composed at all speeds
- Soaks up rough patches effortlessly
- Feels stable and well-balanced
Handling
- Light steering, great for city use
- Confident and stable on highways
- Predictable around corners (with some body roll)
Braking is strong and reassuring, though initial bite could be sharper.
Verdict
The Citroen Basalt X isn’t flawless. Its low-speed jerkiness, engine noise at higher revs, visibility issues, and a few ergonomic compromises hold it back.
But what it gets right truly matters:
- Exceptional comfort
- Balanced, stable ride quality
- Practical and roomy cabin
- Distinct, stylish coupe-SUV design
- Useful features and solid safety
If you’re tired of the usual Creta/Seltos choices and want something that feels different—yet sensible—the Basalt X could surprise you in the best possible way. It’s refined, charming, and delivers far more sophistication than its price suggests.
