Comparison: Citroen Basalt vs Citroen C3 Aircross

We all know what sibling rivalries feel like. While the competition can often be heated, the real winners are always the parents. The same is the case with cars and one of the freshest sibling rivalries is between the newly launched Citroen Basalt and Citroen C3 Aircross. The most interesting fact about this rivalry is that the Basalt is the first-ever mass-market coupe SUV, which is based on its rival (in this comparison), Citroen C3 Aircross. On the other hand, the C3 Aircross is also a new entrant in the mid-size SUV segment. Both cars share a lot, yet are different in significant ways. So, would it be better or worse for you to pick the Basalt over the C3 Aircross, or vice versa? In this article on Citroen Basalt vs Citroen C3 Aircross, we compare the two and find out which one suits your needs better.

Citroen Basalt vs Citroen C3 Aircross: Dimensions & Design

As far as space is concerned, the first thing to understand is that the Citroen Basalt is a 5-seater coupe SUV and the Citroen C3 Aircross is a mid-size SUV available in 5-seater and 5+2-seater versions. In the 5+2-seater versions, the last two seats can be completely removed independently of each other – something also seen in the Renault Triber. Dimensionally, the Basalt is merely 29 mm longer than its sibling, while the C3 Aircross is 31 mm wider, 72 – 76 mm taller, and has a 20 mm longer wheelbase. In the real world, the 5-seater C3 Aircross feels more spacious and accommodating than the Basalt. Another aspect which favours the C3 Aircross is its flexibility. In its 5+2-seater version, while the last two seats are not sufficiently spacious for adults and are best suited for children, their removal expands the boot space to 511 litres. Moreover, this version also offers a second-row 60:40 split, which the Basalt misses.

Coming to the designs, since the Basalt is based on the C3 Aircross, they share many design elements. At the front, it would take a keen eye to tell the Basalt apart from the C3 Aircross as both look almost identical. Both have split headlamp assemblies with a chromed double chevron logo on the nose. Both have the V-shaped pattern for the LED DRLS flanking two chromed parallel slats atop a chunky grille. However, the trapezoids on the air dam are chrome-finished on the Basalt, whereas the C3 Aircross gets contrasting finishing – the upper two trapezoids are black and the lower two match the colour of the roof. On the side, it’s the sloping roofline and pinched window line which distinguishes the Basalt from the C3 Aircross. At the back, the Basalt doesn’t get the blacked-out panel over the double chevron logo, while the designs of the stubby wraparound tail lamps are nearly the same, the ones on the Basalt look more stylish. However, due to a more upright body, the C3 Aircross gets a larger rear glass.

The Citroen C3 Aircross is more spacious and practical than the Citroen Basalt. However, due to the coupe SUV body, the Basalt looks sportier, while the C3 Aircross looks like a sleek aggressive mid-size SUV.

Citroen Basalt vs Citroen C3 Aircross: Engine & Transmission

The Basalt and C3 Aircross share their mechanicals. Both are equipped with a turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. However, the Basalt also offers Citroen’s naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is limited to the base variant and comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox only.

Now, while the C3 Aircross hasn’t fared well in terms of sales, it has proven its mettle in offering a top-notch ride and handling balance. The same is the case with the Basalt. Their aptly tuned suspension setup easily absorbs bumps and jerks,while delivering superb ride comfort. This suspension also offers great body control, infusing confidence in the driver. All the same, the Basalt offers an even better ride comfort and body control, thanks to a lowered centre of gravity, which comes as a perk of the coupe SUV design.

Even though the 1.2-litre turbocharged engine is not as powerful as the turbo petrol units of other mid-size SUVs, it gets the job done with no problem at all. The 6-speed Aisin-sourced torque converter automatic complements this engine well and with seamless gearshifts it adds to the driving ease. However, the naturally aspirated engine of the Basalt is rather weak for a car of its size and can require you to downshift to get more power at lower speeds.

Both Citroen Basalt and Citroen C3 Aircross deliver the best-in-class ride comfort in combination with excellent handling. However, with a more planted stance, the Basalt delivers an even better ride and feels more enjoyable to drive.

Citroen Basalt vs Citroen C3 Aircross: Features & Comfort

Like the faces, the interiors of the Basalt and C3 Aircross are almost identical, especially in the front. Both get a dual-tone black and beige interior theme, with beige covering the seats and big sliding front armrests, and black limited to the doors and the dashboard. With a dimpled pattern finish, the dashboards have touchscreens sitting in the centre with a metallic-chain-link-like pattern on the relatively round AC vents. In the rear sections, the main difference is in the placement of AC vents. The Basalt gets the rear AC at the conventional place – down between the front two seats, while the C3 Aircross also features roof-mounted AC vents in addition to the conventional floor-mounted vents. Moreover, unlike the C3 Aircross, the Basalt features two adjustable cushy winged headrests which hold your head in place, and adjustable thigh support up to 87 mm, which alters the thigh support in four steps. Both these cars are equally comfortable and premium on the inside. All the same, it’s worth mentioning that since Citroen has kept both these cars more affordable compared to their rivals, the cost-cutting measures are evident with the mediocre plastic quality.

In terms of features, both the Basalt and C3 Aircross offer almost the same package which includes some modern-day essentials such as automatic climate control, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, 7-inch digital instrument cluster and more. However, the C3 Aircross doesn’t get the wireless charger, which the Basalt does. 

The interiors of the Citroen Basalt and Citroen C3 Aircross almost mirror each other. However, in terms of features, the Basalt is marginally ahead with the adjustable thigh support, wireless charger, and rear winged headrests.

Citroen Basalt vs Citroen C3 Aircross: Safety Features

In terms of safety equipment, both Basalt and C3 Aircross can be best described as ‘decent.’ However, the Basalt is slightly safer than the C3 Aircross, given it features six airbags as standard, while the C3 Aircross features only two. Rest of features are the same in both cars, such as ABS with EBD, ESC, hill assist, TPMS, and more. Neither of these two cars is at par with their rivals on the grounds of safety, but they are almost equally safe.

Both Citroen Basalt and Citroen C3 Aircross are equipped with almost the same set of safety features. Both are more or less the same in terms of safety, barring the Basalt’s advantage of the six airbags as standard and a lower centre of gravity due to a more planted stance, which gives it better ride stability at higher speeds.

Citroen Basalt vs Citroen C3 Aircross: Price comparison

The base variant of the Citroen C3 Aircross is Rs 2 lakh more expensive than that of the Citroen Basalt. But it’s important to remember, that it comes with a more powerful turbo petrol engine instead of the naturally aspirated one, which the Basalt offers.

The mid variants of both cars come with a turbo petrol engine. While the Basalt offers the automatic transmission at Rs 12.79 lakh, the 5-seater mid variants of the C3 Aircross offer the same at nearly Rs 12,000 more. In addition to that, the 5+2-seater mid variants of the C3 Aircross doesn’t offer an automatic transmission at all.

The top variants of both these cars don’t differ much in price.  

Citroen Basalt vs Citroen C3 Aircross: Summary

The first-ever coupe SUV, Citroen Basalt is a valuable package overall. It offers great ride comfort as well as handling and should be the better pick of the two if you want a nice comfortable SUV for your family, which doubles up as an eye-catching beauty on the roads. However, at slightly higher prices, the Citroen C3 Aircross offers more space and practicality and if you can do without the coupe SUV body type, it should be a more sensible choice among the two.

Citroen Basalt vs Citroen C3 Aircross: FAQs