Citroen Basalt vs Maruti Brezza: Pick The New SUV-coupe Or Popular Sub-4 Metre SUV?

Few days back, we got one of the first mass market SUV-coupes in India in the form of Citroen Basalt. Though the Basalt measures over 4 metres in length and primarily competes in the compact SUV space in India, its aggressive pricing also positions it as a potential rival to several subcompact SUVs, including the Maruti Brezza. Let’s take a look at how the Basalt fares against the Brezza in terms of specs and features on paper.

Before getting more details, let’s have look at their price range:

Prices

All prices are ex-showroom

The entry-level variant of the Citroen Basalt even undercuts the base-spec Maruti Brezza by Rs 35,000. Even in the top-spec, the Basalt is Rs 36,000 more affordable than the top-spec Brezza.

Design & Dimensions

When it comes to design, the Citroen Basalt holds a clear advantage over the Maruti Brezza with its distinctive SUV-coupe stance. However, the Brezza aligns more closely with modern design trends and might appeal to those who want a conventionally styled SUVs. While both SUVs feature LED headlights, the Brezza also includes LED tail lights and LED turn indicators. Additionally, the Basalt's flap-style door handles contribute to a more dated appearance compared to the Brezza.

Now let’s talk about the dimensions:

The Basalt being a segment above the Brezza is longer by over 350 mm. However the Brezza is surprisingly wider and obviously with its conventional SUV styling, taller than the Basalt.Citroen’s SUV-coupe however gets the advantage of a longer wheelbase, it also offers extra luggage loading capacity over the Brezza.

Also Check Out: Citroen Basalt vs Mahindra XUV 3XO: Specifications Compared

Features

Both Citroen Basalt and Maruti Brezza offer all necessary features, including touchscreen, auto AC, and wireless phone charger. The Basalt even gets a larger 10.25-inch infotainment system and a 7-inch fully digital driver’s display over the Brezza. However, the Basalt still lacks some premium and essential features such as a sunroof, push-button engine start/stop, cruise control, and a branded sound system. Given its top-spec pricing, the absence of these features seems unjustified. Also, both models don’t come with ventilated front seats.

When it comes to safety, the Basalt has the advantage, offering 6 airbags as standard, while the Brezza only includes them in the higher-spec variants. However, the Brezza features a 360-degree camera setup, which is absent on the Basalt.

Powertrains

Citroen offers the Basalt with both naturally aspirated (NA) and turbo-petrol engine options, whereas the Brezza gets a single 1.5-litre petrol engine. However, the Maruti SUV additionally provides a CNG powertrain option. Comparing the Basalt's turbo-petrol engine with the Brezza's petrol engine, the Basalt is more powerful and torquier. On the other hand, the NA petrol engine in the Basalt produces nearly 20 PS less power than the Brezza's NA petrol engine.

Verdict

From the above comparison, it is clear that the Brezza offers better value for money. It provides more premium features such as a sunroof, push-button engine start/stop, and cruise control, all at a price that is Rs 36,000 lower than the Basalt. On the other hand, the Basalt covers all the basics and includes the option of a turbo-petrol engine, which the Brezza does not offer.

So, if you want more features, the Brezza is definitely a better option here. But, if you want good looks, a larger and more spacious vehicle and prefer not to opt for more expensive compact SUVs, the Basalt is worth considering.