[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]The Citroen Basalt, coupe-SUV, has received a 0-star safety rating in crash tests conducted by Latin NCAP. The result stands in sharp contrast to the car’s four-star rating under Bharat NCAP, raising questions about varying safety standards and equipment across markets.
[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]How Did It Score?
[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]According to the official results, the Brazil-made Basalt scored:
- [color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]39 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection
- [color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]58 per cent for Child Occupant Protection
- [color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]53 per cent for Pedestrian Safety
- [color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]35 per cent for Safety Assist Systems
[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]Despite coming equipped with four airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, ISOFIX mounts, ESC, and pedestrian protection compliance, the SUV still ended with zero stars overall.
[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]Adult Occupant Protection
[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]In frontal impact tests, the Basalt offered good head and neck protection but showed weak chest protection for the passenger and marginal protection for the driver. Knees were rated marginal, tibias adequate, and the bodyshell was declared unstable, unable to withstand higher crash forces. Side impact protection was rated good, but the side pole test was skipped due to missing head airbags. Whiplash protection was marked marginal, and the SUV lacked city AEB.
[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]Child Occupant Protection
[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]The Basalt scored 28.59 points (58 per cent) for child safety. While the rearward-facing child seats provided good protection in frontal impact, the 3-year-old dummy’s head hit the interior during the side impact test. Some child restraint systems also failed installation. The SUV includes ISOFIX with i-Size compliance and three-point seatbelts for all seats, but it lacks proper airbag warnings and the option to deactivate the passenger airbag, which Latin NCAP flagged as shortcomings.
[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]Pedestrian Safety
[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]In tests for pedestrian and vulnerable road user protection, the Basalt scored 25.62 points (53 per cent). Head impact areas ranged from good to poor, particularly near the windscreen and A-pillars. Leg protection was mostly good, but the SUV does not offer AEB for pedestrians or cyclists.
[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]Safety Assist Systems
[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]Latin NCAP gave the Basalt low marks in this category. The SUV only offers a driver-side seatbelt reminder, which does not meet requirements, and there are no reminders for other seats. Speed assistance systems are not standard. Advanced features like Blind Spot Detection, Lane Support, Road Edge Detection, and AEB Interurban are not available.
[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]Final Result
[color=hsl(0,0%,0%)]With an unstable structure, limited child protection performance, and lack of advanced safety assist systems, the Brazil-made Citroen Basalt recorded an overall 0-star rating at Latin NCAP. |
