The Citroen Basalt coupe SUV is the latest entrant from the French car marque in the Indian market.
This Citroen Basalt vs C3 comparison will aid you make the appropriate decision. It is understandable for people to get slightly confused as to which one to go for. Both these have their strengths and weaknesses. The French auto giant now offers five products in India – C5 Aircross, C3, e-C3, C3 Aircross and the Basalt. However, the sales are not too encouraging. In an attempt to create something people would likely gravitate towards more, Citroen introduced the Basalt with a coupe SUV silhouette. This lends it a distinct road presence. On the other hand, the C3 is a compact SUV which belongs to one of the most crowded market segments in India. Let us compare the two on various parameters.
Citroen Basalt vs C3 Comparison – Specs and Price
Interestingly, even though these two belong to different market segments, they share the powertrain options. Also, these use the same CMP architecture which is heavily localized to ensure lower costs. The Citroen Basalt comes with two engine options – a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol mill which churns out a healthy 110 PS and 190 Nm (205 Nm with automatic transmission) and a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol mill which generates a decent 82 PS and 115 Nm of peak power and torque. The claimed mileage figures are 18 km/l for NA petrol, 19.5 km/l for the turbo petrol and 18.7 km/l for the turbo petrol with automatic transmission. Complimenting this engine is either a 5-speed manual (only with NA petrol), a 6-speed manual or an automatic gearbox. We will get to know the prices soon.
On the other hand, even the Citroen C3 draws power from the same engines. Hence, there isn’t much to choose between the two in terms of specifications. Therefore, in this context, you are free to opt for anyone out of the two. I believe the price will play a crucial role in influencing your final choice. The C3 ranges from Rs 6.16 lakh to Rs 9 lakh, ex-showroom. These are some really attractive prices to woo new customers.
| Specs | Citroen Basalt and C3 |
| Engine | 1.2L 3-cyl Petrol / 1.2L 3-cyl Turbo Petrol |
| Power | 82 PS / 110 PS |
| Torque | 115 Nm / 190 Nm (205 Nm w/ AT) |
| Transmission | MT / AT |
Citroen Basalt vs C3 Comparison – Features
This is where things get really exciting. Since the Basalt belongs to the mid-size SUV segment, it also offers tons of modern equipment. The aim is to rival immensely feature-rich vehicles like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara among others. Therefore, the French car company wants to make sure that it leaves no stone unturned. The top amenities of the Basalt incorporate:
- 10.25-inch Touchscreen Infotainment
- 7-inch Digital Instrument Cluster
- Wireless Smartphone Charger
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Automatic Climate Control
- Toggle Switches For HVAC
- Front Armrest with Storage Space
- Adjustable Thigh Support for the Rear Passengers
- 6 Airbags
- Electronic Stability Program
- Hill-Hold Assist
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
On the other hand, the C3 is a compact SUV. Still, it comes with tons of modern features to pamper the owners. The main functionalities are:
- 10.25-inch Touchscreen Infotainment
- 7-inch Colour Digital TFT Instrument Cluster
- Wireless Smartphone Connectivity
- Steering Wheel with Audio and Phone Controls
- MyCitroen Connected App with 38 Smart Features
- C-Buddy Personal Assistant App
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- 4-speaker Audio System
- Manual Air Conditioning
- Electrically Adjustable ORVMs
- Remote Keyless Entry
- One Touch Up/Down for All Windows
- Height Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- 3 USB Charging Slots
- 2 Airbags
- Rear View Camera
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Hill Hold Assist
- Electronic Stability Program
Design Comparison
Design is one aspect which is unique to each of these despite sharing some similarities. The Basalt is creating buzz due to being the first mass-market coupe SUV in the country. This silhouette of the sloping roofline was reserved for high-end premium cars until now. That is the major draw for a whole bunch of potential buyers. Apart from that, the front fascia gets the trademark Double Chevron logo with chrome garnish, striking LED DRLs with LED headlamps and a sporty bumper section with squared elements. The side profile even contains elegant alloy wheels with black body claddings. Finally, the tail section has a split taillamp setup with even spills over the side section.
On the other hand, the C3 is definitely the smaller of the two. However, the design philosophy of Citroen still shines through. The Double Chevron section is showcased here as well. The headlamps in this case are halogens but the sleek LED DRLs surrounding them merge neatly into the chrome belt. Down below, the broad grille section is surrounded by a large fog lamp with dedicated housing and a rugged skid plate. On the sides, the black side pillars, alloy wheels and solid body claddings accentuate the sporty attributes. I like the faux roof rails too. At the rear, the compact taillamps look decent along with a sturdy bumper with reflector lights.
Our View
Choosing between these two could be harder than you think. On the one hand, you have the latest design theme of a coupe SUV with the Basalt. This will certainly lend it a unique road presence. However, the only thing we have to wait for is the pricing. If that is compelling, people would happily spend some extra money (in comparison to the C3) to own a bigger car. On the other hand, if you are on a strict budget, sticking with the C3 is not a bad choice either. For what it’s worth, the Citroen C3 is also a value-for-money proposition.
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