Citroen Basalt vs C3 Comparison – Specs, Features and More

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

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. The prices range from Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 13.83 lakh, ex-showroom.

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.

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

Specs

Citroen Basalt vs C3 Comparison – Price

The Citroen Basalt ranges from Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 13.83 lakh, ex-showroom. On the other hand, the C3, being a compact SUV, has a retail price between Rs 6.16 lakh to Rs 9 lakh, ex-showroom. In any case, there is a slight overlap between the prices of the two French SUVs.

Price	Citroen C3	Citroen Basalt
Base Model	Rs 6.16 lakh	Rs 7.99 lakh
Top Model	Rs 9 lakh	Rs 13.83 lakh

Price Comparison

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.