Citroën Basalt

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Thread for the Basalt, Citroën's jacked up sloping saloon. Will be hitting the showrooms at the end of March.

Citroën Basalt: SA launch date confirmed

Citroën South Africa has announced when the Basalt coupé-styled compact SUV will officially arrive on our shores.
Unveiled in 2024, and initially scheduled to arrive on our shores in the first half of 2025, the Citroën Basalt is now finally headed to South Africa, with the French firm’s local arm confirming when the coupé-styled compact SUV will officially arrive in our market.

One of the cars leading Citroën’s global product offensive, the Basalt is produced alongside the C3 and Aircross (previously named ‘C3 Aircross’) in India. Positioned above the former and latter – both of which are among the compact SUVs you can but in SA for under R300k – the Basalt is the third model from the automaker’s C-CUBED programme.

Based on the company’s Smart Car platform, which is derived from the PSA Group’s Common Modular platform, the Basalt’s in-vogue bodywork measures measures 4 352 mm in length and 1 765 mm in width. In India, the Basalt is available with the choice of two petrol powertrains: a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder unit producing 60 kW and 115 N.m of torque, and a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-pot endowed with a healthier 81 kW and 205 N.m. The atmospheric engine is coupled with a five-speed manual transmission, while the turbocharged motor sends drive to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox. Considering the C3 and Aircross are sold in SA with the same powertrains, we expect the local Basalt lineup will follow suit, and offered with the same engine options.

Citroën Basalt SA launch date

Citroën South Africa has announced the Basalt will launch in our market towards the end of the first quarter of 2026. Detailed pricing and specifications will be revealed closer to the launch date.


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Thread for the Basalt, Citroën's jacked up sloping saloon. Will be hitting the showrooms at the end of March.

Citroën Basalt: SA launch date confirmed

Citroën South Africa has announced when the Basalt coupé-styled compact SUV will officially arrive on our shores.
Unveiled in 2024, and initially scheduled to arrive on our shores in the first half of 2025, the Citroën Basalt is now finally headed to South Africa, with the French firm’s local arm confirming when the coupé-styled compact SUV will officially arrive in our market.

One of the cars leading Citroën’s global product offensive, the Basalt is produced alongside the C3 and Aircross (previously named ‘C3 Aircross’) in India. Positioned above the former and latter – both of which are among the compact SUVs you can but in SA for under R300k – the Basalt is the third model from the automaker’s C-CUBED programme.

Based on the company’s Smart Car platform, which is derived from the PSA Group’s Common Modular platform, the Basalt’s in-vogue bodywork measures measures 4 352 mm in length and 1 765 mm in width. In India, the Basalt is available with the choice of two petrol powertrains: a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder unit producing 60 kW and 115 N.m of torque, and a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-pot endowed with a healthier 81 kW and 205 N.m. The atmospheric engine is coupled with a five-speed manual transmission, while the turbocharged motor sends drive to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox. Considering the C3 and Aircross are sold in SA with the same powertrains, we expect the local Basalt lineup will follow suit, and offered with the same engine options.

Citroën Basalt SA launch date

Citroën South Africa has announced the Basalt will launch in our market towards the end of the first quarter of 2026. Detailed pricing and specifications will be revealed closer to the launch date.


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What did I say, look at the Chinese suvs
 
Citroën’s new Basalt SUV-Coupé: SA launch starts with a tease

There’s a daring, all-new Citroën set to drive onto South African roads at the end of March 2026 – the Citroën Basalt SUV-Coupé. Sculpted and muscular, it blends effortless French styling with SUV practicality, feeling.

Citroën is preparing to introduce its Basalt SUV-Coupé to South Africa – but instead of opening with a traditional spec-sheet reveal, the brand is first showcasing select design details.

In the weeks leading up to 24 March 2026, close-up imagery of Basalt’s lighting signatures, alloy wheels and interior finishes will appear across media platforms, each styled like a fashion accessory under the line: “You’ll want a piece of it.” The aim is to establish visual recognition before the full silhouette is unveiled.

Rather than leading with engine outputs or pricing tiers, Citroën is foregrounding design, comfort and everyday usability. Basalt’s raised stance, compact footprint and tapering coupé-style roofline are intended to differentiate it from more conventional offerings in the segment.

“We wanted the public’s first impression of the all-new Basalt to be an emotional one,” says Mmathapelo Khumalo, Head of Citroën in South Africa. “By introducing the vehicle through its individual elements, we’re emphasising its character and comfort focus before turning to the technical detail.”

The campaign aligns with Citroën’s global “For Everyone, Like No One” philosophy – combining distinctive styling with practical, intuitive features.


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Citroën Basalt (2026) Price & Specs

Pricing scoop! The new Citroën Basalt is set to launch in South Africa later in March 2026, but we already have pricing. Here’s what this coupé-style crossover will cost…

- New coupé-style Basalt to launch in SA soon
- Both derivatives use familiar 1.2T powertrain
- Local pricing to start at just under R355 000

The new Citroën Basalt – imported from the brand’s Stellantis-run Tiruvallur plant in India – is set to launch in South Africa towards the end of March 2026. But we’ve already uncovered local pricing for the French firm’s coupé-style crossover, a model conceived specifically for emerging markets.

From what we understand, the local Basalt line-up will comprise 2 derivatives at launch, set apart purely by their trim levels. According to our information, the Basalt 1.2T Plus 6AT will be priced at R354 900, while the Basalt 1.2T Max 6AT will cost R369 900. That puts it just above the base-spec version of the slightly shorter Tata Curvv, which starts at R349 900 in 1.2T Pure+ guise.

What engine does the Citroën Basalt use?

Both versions of the Basalt employ Citroën’s turbocharged 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine, a powertrain familiar from high-spec versions of the likewise Indian-built C3 and Aircross. As it does in those models, the forced-induction 3-pot generates 81 kW and 205 Nm in the Basalt, peak outputs that are delivered to the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Citroën lists the Basalt’s combined fuel consumption as 6.3 L/100 km, while the fuel-tank capacity comes in at 45 litres. Measuring 4 352 mm long with a wheelbase of 2 651 mm, the Basalt has a listed ground clearance of 180 mm and a claimed luggage capacity of 470 litres (despite the presence of a full-size spare wheel).

How much does the Citroën Basalt cost in South Africa?

DERIVATIVE PRICE

Citroën Basalt 1.2T Plus 6AT R354 900
Citroën Basalt 1.2T Max 6AT R369 900

The prices above include a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan (with intervals of 15 000 km).

 

Citroen Basalt vs Mahindra XUV 3XO – Which One Should You Buy? | ‪MotorBeam‬​

In this video, we compare the Citroen Basalt and the Mahindra XUV 3XO to see which compact SUV makes more sense for buyers in the ₹15–17 lakh price range.

The Citroen Basalt stands out with its unique coupe-SUV design, spacious cabin, and impressive ride quality inspired by classic French cars. On the other hand, the Mahindra XUV 3XO focuses on strong performance, a long list of features, and a powerful turbo engine.

In this comparison, we test the cars with a drag race, ride quality test, feature comparison, space check, and overall driving impressions. We also talk about pricing, power figures, comfort, and practicality to understand which car offers better value for money.

If you're planning to buy a compact SUV in this budget, this detailed comparison will help you decide between the Basalt and the XUV 3XO.

 
2026 Citroën Basalt: price and specs

Thanks to the folks at duoporta, we can confirm pricing for the upcoming Citroën Basalt coupé-styled compact SUV. See pricing and specs below.

Ahead of its official South African launch, we’ve unearthed pricing for Citroën’s upcoming coupé-styled compact SUV, the Basalt. At launch, the Basalt will be available in two flavours: entry-level Plus and top-spec Max.

In Plus guise, the Basalt features 10-inch touchscreen infotainment, a 7.0-inch digital driver’s display, automatic air conditioning, rear park distance sensors, keyless entry and start, LED headlamps and daytime-running lights, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Tyre pressure monitoring is also included in the package. Safety items include six airbags and electronic stability control (ESC). On top of the aforementioned features, Max spec gains synthetic leather trim for the steering wheel, a six-speaker sound system, a reverse-view camera, an electrochromic rear-view mirror, and a light in the luggage compartment.

2026 Citroen Basalt price in SA

Thanks to the folks at duoporta, we can confirm the two-strong local Citroën Basalt range is priced from R354 900 for the Plus variant and R369 900 for the Max. Included in the price are a five-year/100 000 km warranty and a four-year/60 000 km service plan.

Citroen Basalt 1.2T Plus – R354 900
Citroen Basalt 1.2T Max – R369 900

Across the range, the Basalt employs a 1.2-litre turbo-triple, endowed with 81 kW and 205 N.m of torque. The three-cylinder unit is coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. Citroën claims an average fuel consumption of 6.3 L/100km.

 
Citroën Basalt arrives: the budget-friendly coupe-SUV set to shake up the market

Punchy engine

Under the bonnet, you get a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine which is capable of an impressive 81kW and 205Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission.

On the open road, the Citroen Basalt feels quite punchy and responsive. Acceleration is brisk and effortless, and with the smooth automatic transmission, gear changes are hardly felt except in low-speed manoeuvrability in first gear.

Citroen says that its key rivals to the Basalt are the Suzuki Fronx and the Toyota Starlet Cross, and based on first impressions, I can confidently say that the Basalt offers a much better driving experience than the aforementioned.

However, only time will tell how the market receives this new entry to the segment.

Pricing and warranty

The Citroen Basalt is sold with a four-year/60,000km service plan and a five-year/100,000km warranty.

Citroen Basalt PLUS 1.2 Turbo 6-Speed Automatic: R354 900.
Citroen Basalt MAX 1.2 Turbo 6-Speed Automatic: R 369 900.

 
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