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Why I bought the Basalt over cars like Honda Elevate & Mahindra XUV 3XO

15th October 2024, 11:45 by Utkarsh Chaudhary

The other vehicles that I looked at were the Kia Seltos, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Magnite and VW Taigun. I didn't even consider the Citroen initially.

BHPian samdm recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hello all

I recently got myself a Basalt. I call it Lord BasAlto. Actually, many folks wanted to know which car I got - I told them Basalt and somehow managed to mumble an 'tto' at the end god knows why, maybe due to my heavy Delhi drawl of ending words with stressed vowels. One of them quipped, bas alto (only Alto?). That name stuck with me! Relatives/friends think I got only an Alto while more educated ones know this isn't true but they still couldn't make out when I told them the name of the car or brand. That's good. I am not a man of show-offs. I love deceptions and things that keep it lowkey.

What I wanted

A turbo fun-to-drive automatic car that can house good luggage and 4-5 folks at any given point of time along with good ride quality.

The cars I considered initially are summarized below along with why I couldn't go with them. For your information, I only chose to drive top automatic models for reasons best known to my aging 35 year old instincts that asked me to avoid manuals.

Seltos

I drove the X line, the top tier Seltos and by God what a car this was. The ride quality, as opposed to the infamy it carries, was such a pleasant surprise. The doors shut and they cut you out from the external traffic noise almost as if you have switched off the audio. And the feature list is endless, ADAS works so beautifully, adaptive guidelines on camera are godsend aids for even seasoned drivers. If there is a car in the Indian car market I consider as complete, it is Seltos hands down. It carries virtually all the features that you can have in a car without skimping much.

I didn't buy this because of my severe detest for panoramic sunroofs. Sunroofs are somewhat okay but replacing the entire roof with glass housing, especially for my use case where I have to use external parking is an irrational idea. Secondly, for almost 24L onroad, didn't find the ring with the sane voice inside me. I had to sadly part ways. But the matte gray sultress looked awesome.

Magnite

I know. Don't give me those stares. I love cars that offer VFM feature sets for some reason more than those that sell by their names irrespective of the brand. Magnite, in the bottom range, comes with great value-for-money features and offerings. Except for a few like cruise control, ADAS (new model incoming is supposed to have this) even the existing model has great traits. The CVT transmission is gold - the smoothest of all. Japs do know how to make some good CVTs. Then 360 cam.

Turbo was a good-to-drive car. Only if it was less bumpy, and it felt a little cramped with five guys. Dicky too wasn't that big. I moved on from initial infatuation towards realization...

Slavia

If there is a car I could buy only for looks, it would be Slavia hands down. A car only for those whom she thinks can have her. If you didn't decide to buy it, it's your discretionary loss, not hers. The beauty she carries is beyond the words. Features or not, she is complete in herself. I drove the 1.5DSG and I now know why they stand by DSG like a toxic partner who isn't that loyal but nonetheless a fun partner to be with. I didn't buy her because parking spaces in metro cities are limited for sedans and I didn't want to haggle with attendants as to why they wanted more.

3XO

I didn't drive or consider it. Mahindra dealer wasn't keen on offering a drive of the top model either. Great engine option and interiors along with a feature list. Alas, that boot space and my need for acres for upcoming family events. Lacks severely on that part. And it looks like a little cute XUV700 instead of an independent 300 on its own, to my eyes. No identity of its own. Skipped.

Taigun

Frankly, didn't impress me much. Small footprint, okayish boot space, good engine and interiors but compared to Kushaq it looked so muted and light, it didn't even appeal to me although it can be very choicely as a car for those who love the great color options VW comes up with.

Elevate

The highest disappointment in a car in terms of engine. The test drive car had run only 1200kms and the engine felt so strained that I almost felt pity on it. I was running at 60kmph and the engine was at 100kmph! I gave up after a test ride. I took a drive straight after driving Basalt. The Elevate was bumpier than ageing bones. Each pothole was felt inside and was noisy too. Maybe just for me... although as a surprise, the audio quality of the speakers inside was sublime!

Enter Basalt

I wasn't even considering Citroen up until the first time I saw a yellow Basalt on brochures and that view sure looked spectacular. Muscular and imposing. I subscribed for notifications and later in July, I received communication that Basalt was incoming. The spy shots were already out and I was more excited.

Off it came, I went to the showroom and was a little disappointed. I mean for a 15.5L priced top model (Delhi), it offers a disappointing proposition for the money it demands.

No 360 Cam
No ADAS
No CC

But the truth is, for 15L I cannot have anything in our market that offers what it does. 3XO won't offer you boot space, Elevate won't give you an engine option yada yada...

And it offered the best ride quality of all with a great engine and spacious interiors. We took a test drive with six persons onboard and the way it pulled was beautifully linear. Yes, a little rubber band in place but nothing that could kill the thrill.

Above all - it was satisfying on two crucial things - my love for sedans and the practicality of a crossover. The drooping edge gave it a spectacular derriere look which the parking attendant to this day still harps to me whenever I go and pick it up! Huge boot space and still managing to keep it under 4.5m. It was a no-nonsense choice considering these points.

I made the booking and got delivery in 15 days! I chose a specific color that is not listed on the Citroen India website for Basalt. Steel grey with Black sunroof. It looked ravishing and I wonder why they didn't put it up as color options. And gives a novelty feel of having a color that will stump everyone who wants to know

What I love about it

Looks and novelty - It looks dapper in silver with a black sunroof. I parked it next to a Curvv in front of a Tata showroom, people were checking Basalto out as well.
Spacious and comfortable - Inside the cabin, the space is never a concern. The leg space rivals sedans and three healthy folks can sit properly. Ride quality is Citroen's special thing and the same potholes that used to give me jitters on other cars, are barely felt. Have to see how these suspension struts hold up in the long run.
Engine - While not the best screamer out there, it sure is best of both - it kicks in when you ask it else drive it sedately it will hand you good mileage and thrill when you ask for it.
No sunroof - I know many consider it a deal-maker. But for me, it was a blessing in disguise. I hated sunroofs since once I got drenched due to a leaking sunroof (I won't write the model name here, not here to play slanders) and decided my car wouldn't have it.

What I wished could be better

Missing ADAS, CC, Direct TPMS, HOD, 360Cam, UV Cut glass - and the list goes on of the features I wished I could have had in my first ownership. But hey lesser frills mean less headache with maintenance, right? Tell me yes pls (That's one coping way of patting myself on the back for not having these)

Cost cutting measures - rear reverse light won't light up on driver's side lol. Many others that I will observe as I drive more and update.

I bought it from La Maison Citroën Ghaziabad which I find good since they got me a color I never expected to own. They were good with their prices but only after much haggling.

Thank you for reading!