Citroen Basalt (C3X) Turbo Review: A True Enthusiast's Coupe?

The Citroen Basalt (often called the C3X) is a head-turner. It brings the sleek “Coupe SUV” roofline—previously reserved for the BMW X4s and Mercedes GLC Coupes—to the mass market. But is it all show and no go?

🇫🇷 The “Magic Carpet” Ride

Citroen’s suspension engineering is legendary, and the Basalt inherits it.

• The Feel: It glides over bumps. It doesn’t crash through them; it absorbs them.
• Handling: Surprisingly, this comfort doesn’t ruin the handling. It leans a bit in corners but holds its line tenaciously. It flows down a backroad beautifully.

🚀 The 1.2L PureTech Turbo

This engine is a gem.

• Specs: 110 PS / 205 Nm (AT).
• Character: It is explosive. There is a strong surge of torque in the mid-range. It feels faster than the numbers suggest.
• Transmission: The 6-Speed Torque Converter (Aisin) is perfectly mated. It holds gears when you want it to.

🏁 Verdict: Enthusiast Certified?

Yes. It is raw. It lacks the fancy features of a Hyundai (no sunroof, basic instrument cluster). But the Fundamentals—Engine, Chassis, Steering—are brilliant.

• Pros: Stunning design, punchy engine, best-in-class ride comfort.
• Cons: Feature list is bare-bones (feels cheap inside), thin service network.

If you care more about how a car feels than how many screens it has, the Basalt is for you.