The 2025 Citroën Basalt emerges as a strong contender in the competitive compact SUV market. Launched initially in Brazil in October 2024, this vehicle represents Citroën’s commitment to providing an SUV with a coupe design, focused on accessibility and global appeal. Produced in Porto Real, Brazil, the Basalt is part of the C-Cubed strategy, designed to cater to emerging markets like Brazil and India, promising an interesting balance of style, space, and technology.
Design and Style: The Essence of an Accessible SUV-Coupe
The design of the 2025 Citroën Basalt is one of its main attractions. With lines reminiscent of a coupe, the model distances itself from traditional SUVs, aiming for a more dynamic and modern look. This aesthetic approach seeks to attract an audience looking for a car with personality, without sacrificing the practicality and interior space characteristic of an SUV. The Basalt stands out as a stylish and accessible option in the growing SUV-coupe segment.
Compared to its direct competitors, such as the Volkswagen Nivus and the Fiat Fastback, the Basalt aims to stand out with Citroën’s distinctive design. Details like the LED light signature, the imposing front grille, and the fluid body lines contribute to a striking visual identity. The goal is to offer a vehicle that attracts attention while also being functional for daily use.
Dimensions and Interior Space: Practicality for Everyday Use and Beyond
The dimensions of the 2025 Citroën Basalt are designed to provide a good balance between urban agility and interior space. At 4.34 meters in length, 2.01 meters in width, and 1.58 meters in height, the Basalt fits into the compact SUV category, making driving and parking easier in cities. The wheelbase of 2.64 meters contributes to a reasonable interior space, especially for rear passengers.
One of the strengths of the Basalt is its trunk, with a capacity of 490 liters. This volume exceeds that of some direct competitors, making the car an attractive option for families and those needing space for luggage. The ground clearance of 180 mm is another relevant aspect, allowing for more comfortable navigation of urban challenges such as speed bumps and potholes. The 45-liter fuel tank, while seemingly modest, aligns with the proposal of an urban and efficient car.
Powertrain and Performance: Options for Different Driver Profiles
The 2025 Citroën Basalt offers two 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine options, both flex-fuel, catering to different needs and preferences. The entry-level version, Feel 1.0, is equipped with a naturally aspirated 1.0 Firefly engine that delivers 75 hp with ethanol and 71 hp with gasoline. This engine, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, prioritizes fuel economy and urban drivability, making it ideal for those seeking a practical and affordable daily vehicle.
For those seeking more performance, the Feel Turbo, Shine Turbo, and First Edition Turbo versions come equipped with the 1.0 Turbo T200 engine, which delivers 130 hp with ethanol and 125 hp with gasoline. This turbo engine, combined with a CVT that simulates 7 gears, provides a more agile and enjoyable driving experience, especially on highways and during overtaking. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds, reported by Stellantis, demonstrates the good performance of this version. The engine options cater to both those prioritizing economy and those valuing performance.
Fuel Consumption: Efficiency in Focus
Fuel consumption is a crucial factor when choosing a car, and the 2025 Citroën Basalt excels in this aspect. The Feel 1.0 aspirated version has an approved consumption by Inmetro of 13 km/l in the city and 14.6 km/l on the highway with gasoline, and 9.3 km/l in the city and 10.2 km/l on the highway with ethanol. These figures highlight the efficiency of the Firefly engine, making this version one of the most economical in its segment.
The turbo versions, equipped with the 1.0 T200 engine and CVT, also feature reasonable consumption given their superior performance. The approved consumption is 11.9 km/l in the city and 13.7 km/l on the highway with gasoline, and 8.3 km/l in the city and 9.6 km/l on the highway with ethanol. Although slightly less economical than the aspirated version, the turbo versions still prove efficient, offering a good balance between performance and consumption.
Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes: Comfort and Safety on Varied Terrains
Built on the CMP platform, the 2025 Citroën Basalt adopts common technical solutions in the compact SUV segment, seeking a good compromise between comfort, safety, and cost. The Macpherson front suspension and twist beam rear suspension, both with coil springs, are well-established configurations that ensure a good level of comfort on uneven surfaces, an important characteristic for the conditions of many roads in emerging markets.
The braking system, featuring ventilated discs in the front and drums in the rear, is a common choice in cars of this category, aiming to reduce costs without compromising safety during urban use. Although disc brakes on all four wheels would provide greater braking power, the configuration adopted in the Basalt is considered adequate for the vehicle’s proposal. The combination of chassis, suspension, and brakes seeks to offer a safe and comfortable driving experience tailored to the needs of daily use.
Wheels, Tires, and Safety: Details That Make a Difference
All versions of the 2025 Citroën Basalt come equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels and 205/60 R16 tires. This configuration offers a good balance between rolling comfort, grip on various surfaces, and fuel efficiency. The alloy wheels contribute to the car’s modern look, while the 60-profile tires help absorb road irregularities.
In terms of safety, the Brazilian version of the Basalt offers 4 airbags (front and side), while the Indian version includes up to 6 airbags. Other safety features include ABS, EBD, and hill start assist. The more equipped versions also come with a tire pressure monitoring system. Although the Basalt provides basic safety features, it is important to note the absence of more advanced driving aids in some versions, such as stability control, which may be important for some consumers.
Equipment and Comfort: Technology and Convenience Onboard
The 2025 Citroën Basalt stands out by offering a good list of features from the entry-level version, aiming to deliver good value for money. All versions come with a 7-inch digital instrument panel and a 10-inch multimedia screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, features that add value and modernity to the vehicle’s interior. The rearview camera and 3 USB ports are also practical resources for daily use.
The air conditioning, manual in the Feel 1.0 version and automatic in the turbo versions, ensures thermal comfort onboard. Seats with height adjustment for the driver, power windows with one-touch function, and 16-inch alloy wheels are other items that enhance the comfort and well-being of occupants. The Shine and First Edition versions additionally include fog lights, rear parking sensors, cruise control, and more refined finishes, elevating the level of comfort and sophistication.
Pricing and Versions: Accessibility and Options for All Budgets
The 2025 Citroën Basalt was launched in Brazil at competitive prices, aiming to position itself as the most accessible SUV-coupe in the market. Initial prices start at R$ 89,990 for the Feel 1.0 version, approximately $17,998 USD (approximate conversion). The top-of-the-line version, First Edition, goes up to R$ 107,390, around $21,478 USD (approximate conversion). It is important to note that these prices are introductory in Brazil and may vary in other markets, as well as being subject to change.
The lineup of Basalt versions consists of four options: Feel 1.0, Feel Turbo 1.0 T200, Shine Turbo 1.0 T200, and First Edition Turbo 1.0 T200. This variety of versions allows catering to different consumer profiles, from those seeking a more affordable and economical car to those prioritizing performance and more complete equipment. The pricing and version strategy aims to make the Basalt an attractive option in an increasingly competitive segment.
The 2025 Citroën Basalt in the Global Market: Potential and Challenges
The 2025 Citroën Basalt arrives in the global market with the ambition to win over consumers in various countries, especially in emerging markets. Its SUV-coupe design, accessibility proposal, and competitive equipment list are strong points that can attract a wide audience. Local production in Brazil, and possibly in other countries in the future, can help maintain competitive prices and adapt the vehicle to the needs of each market.
However, the Basalt also faces challenges. Competition in the compact SUV segment is fierce, with established models and new options constantly emerging. The acceptance of the SUV-coupe design, still relatively new in some markets, is also a point to watch. The success of the 2025 Citroën Basalt will depend on its ability to stand out among competitors, meet consumer expectations in different markets, and establish its image as an accessible and desirable SUV-coupe.
The 2025 Citroën Basalt Promises to Shake Up the SUV Segment
The 2025 Citroën Basalt presents itself as an interesting and innovative proposal in the compact SUV segment. With a design that breaks away from the conventional, good interior space, efficient engine options, and a competitive equipment list, the Basalt has the potential to stand out in the market. Whether for daily urban use or longer trips, the Basalt offers a balance of style, comfort, and practicality. It remains to be seen how its journey and impact on the global automotive landscape will unfold, but the 2025 Citroën Basalt has certainly arrived to shake up the SUV segment.
