NEW CITROËN MAX/AT
There’s something refreshing about a car that doesn’t try too hard to be complicated. The new Citroën Basalt arrives in South Africa with a sporty character, and a level of comfort that honestly feels like it belongs in a class of its own considering what we get for the price. It’s the latest addition to Citroën’s growing local line-up, joining the C3 and Aircross, but the Basalt brings its own personality to the road with a sleek SUV-coupé shape and the kind of comfort you can only expect from the European automaker Citroën.
The Basalt has great presence at first glance. The raised ride height gives it that confident SUV look South Africans love, while the sloping fastback roofline adds a sporty edge that makes the whole vehicle feel more dynamic and modern. It’s rugged enough for everyday life, but stylish enough to turn heads in the parking lot. The design has energy to it — like it’s ready to move even when standing still. And once you get behind the wheel, that feeling continues at a pace thanks to its lively 1.2-litre turbocharged engine. It’s genuinely one of the highlights of the Basalt. Producing 81kW and 205Nm of torque, it feels punchy and eager especially when pulling away from robots or overtaking on the highway. Paired with the 6-speed automatic gearbox, the Basalt delivers a smooth but sporty driving experience that puts the fun back into everyday commuting. This is a car designed to make daily driving easy and enjoyable.
Step inside the cabin and the first thing you notice is the sense of space. There’s plenty of room for everyone, whether you’re driving with friends, family, or loading up for a weekend away. Rear passengers especially will appreciate the generous legroom, while the massive 470-litre boot means luggage, shopping bags, sports gear, or camera equipment fit in without a struggle. It’s one of those vehicles that simply makes life easier. Then there are the seats, Citroën has always understood comfort differently, and the Basalt continues that tradition beautifully, with soft yet supportive seating that is really comfortable. This combined with the smooth ride quality and well-insulated cabin, the Basalt just feels premium.
The dashboard boasts a neat 10-inch floating touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ keeping everything connected without cluttering too much, while the digital instrument cluster keeps important information directly in your line of sight. Features like automatic air-conditioning, rear air vents, cruise control, keyless access, and electrically folding mirrors all add to the premium qualities of the Basalt and that it’s designed for real everyday use. Safety hasn’t been forgotten either, with six airbags, ESP, Hill Hold Control, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX child-seat mounts helping deliver extra peace of mind.
With two Basalt automatic derivatives available. The entry level version will cost you R359 000 for the Plus/AT edition, or you can opt for the top of the range Basalt Max/AT which is the version we had on test, that included 16-inch alloy wheels, a reverse camera, electrochromic auto-dimming rear view mirror, more sound and a light in the boot compartment, all for the price of R369 900. Overall, the Basalt feels modern, sporty, spacious, and incredibly comfortable all at once. More importantly, it feels fun – so if you’re in the market for a new car, I would suggest to definitely include the Basalt Max/AT on your test list.
By Jay Groat
