Let’s get one thing out of the way from the start: the Citroën Basalt 1.2T Max isn’t going to appeal to everyone.
In a world where SUVs are beginning to look increasingly similar, Citroën has decided to do its own thing. The Basalt combines elements of a coupe, crossover and SUV into one package, resulting in a design that’s bound to split opinions. Some people will love it, others won’t. The good news is that regardless of which side of the fence you sit on, you probably won’t mistake it for anything else on the road. And honestly, that’s quite refreshing.
While the styling might grab most of the attention, the Basalt’s biggest surprise is found around the back. Open the tailgate and you’re greeted by a genuinely massive boot coming in at 470-litres. It’s the sort of luggage space you don’t expect from a vehicle of this size, making it ideal for family duties, airport runs or those shopping trips where you somehow end up buying far more than you planned.
Step inside and the cabin creates a positive first impression. The design is clean, modern and easy on the eye, with a layout that feels intuitive rather than cluttered. Yes, there are plenty of hard plastics throughout the interior, but that’s hardly unexpected at this price point. More importantly, everything feels well assembled and built to withstand the realities of everyday life.
Behind the wheel, the Basalt quickly reveals one of its strongest qualities: comfort. Citroën has always had a reputation for building comfortable cars, and the Basalt continues that tradition. The suspension does an excellent job of soaking up rough road surfaces, potholes and imperfections that would unsettle some rivals. Whether you’re navigating city streets or spending time on the open road, the Basalt remains composed and comfortable.
Power comes from a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, and while the numbers on paper might not immediately grab your attention (81 kW and 205 Nm), the engine feels eager in everyday driving. There’s enough punch available when pulling away from traffic lights or overtaking slower traffic, and the Basalt never feels like it’s struggling to keep up with modern traffic conditions.
In fact, the peppy nature of the engine suits the vehicle’s relaxed character quite well. It provides enough performance to keep things enjoyable without encouraging unnecessary heroics.
Fuel consumption is another area where the Basalt performs reasonably well. Citroën claims 6.3L/100km, while we managed around 7.0L/100km during our time with the vehicle. That’s slightly higher than the official figure, but still respectable for a vehicle of this size and type.
What I appreciate most about the Basalt is that it doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. It doesn’t chase sporty handling figures, pretend to be an off-roader or overwhelm buyers with gimmicks. Instead, it focuses on delivering comfort, practicality and a little bit of personality in a market that often feels crowded with lookalike SUVs.
Verdict
At R369,900, the Citroën Basalt 1.2T Max offers something many competitors struggle to provide: character.
The styling won’t win universal approval, but that’s part of its charm. Backing up that distinctive design is a spacious cabin, a surprisingly large boot, a comfortable ride and an engine that feels more energetic than expected.
The interior may feature more hard plastics than some buyers would like, but that’s a compromise that’s easy to forgive when you consider the overall package and pricing.
For buyers looking for something practical, comfortable and just a little different from the norm, the Citroën Basalt 1.2T Max is well worth a look.
