Citroen Basalt Scores Contrasting Safety Ratings: Zero Stars at Latin NCAP vs Four Stars at Bharat NCAP

The Citroen Basalt, the French automaker’s latest SUV-coupe, has drawn starkly divergent safety ratings across two prominent New Car Assessment Programs. Manufactured in Brazil for Latin American markets, the Basalt was crash tested by Latin NCAP in October 2025 and has received a zero-star rating, whereas its India-built counterpart secured a four-star rating under Bharat NCAP in October 2024.

Brazil-Made Basalt’s Latin NCAP Performance

Latin NCAP conducted its full suite of tests on the Basalt produced at Citroen’s Brazil plant. In the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) category, the SUV achieved just 15.75 points out of 40 (39%), earning no stars. The frontal impact demonstrated good head and neck protection for both driver and front passenger, but chest protection was marginal for the driver and weak for the passenger due to an underperforming pretensioner. Knee protection was marginal with risks of contact against sub-facia structures, although footwell integrity remained stable. In the Side Impact test, head, abdomen, chest and pelvis scored well, but the absence of side curtain airbags precluded a side-pole test.

For Child Occupant Protection (COP), the Brazil-made model scored 28.59/49 (58%). Both 1½-year and 3-year dummies, installed rearward-facing with ISOFIX and support leg, avoided head exposure, although the three-year-old’s head made contact during the side impact. Latin NCAP also noted deficiencies in the airbag cut-off switch and warning systems when rearward-facing child seats were used. Pedestrian protection garnered 25.62 points (53%). 

India-Built Basalt’s Bharat NCAP Performance

Under Bharat NCAP protocols, the India-manufactured Basalt demonstrated substantially stronger crashworthiness. In Adult Occupant Protection, it scored 26.19/32, translating to a four-star rating. The frontal offset deformable barrier test yielded 10.19/16, with good head/neck protection but marginal chest and pelvis performance. The side movable barrier test achieved a perfect 16/16, thanks to standard side head curtain, chest and pelvis airbags.

Child safety saw a dynamic score of 19.90/24, exemplary CRS installation marks of 12/12, and a vehicle assessment score of 4/13, totalling 35.90/49. This secured four stars for child protection, reflecting robust ISOFIX anchorage and effective restraint systems. The India-spec Basalt also features six airbags, belt load limiters, ESC, pedestrian protection and seatbelt reminders as standard equipment. 

Putting the Results into Perspective

Both variants share the same CMP platform, yet safety equipment differentiation is stark. The India-produced Basalt’s comprehensive six-airbag fitment and pretensioners contrast with the Brazil-made car’s pared-down four-airbag setup and optional pretensioners. Consequently, the Brazil-made Basalt’s structure was deemed “unstable” and unable to withstand additional loadings, while the India-built version displayed a stable bodyshell capable of further deformation loads.

The divergent outcomes underline the critical impact of regional specifications on occupant protection. Consumers in Latin America face a model with compromised safety compared to its Indian counterpart.