Citroen BasaltX vs Force Motors Gurkha vs Kia Syros (2026)
The classic compact suv shortlist, settled with numbers (October 2026):
- Pick the Citroen BasaltX if you want the biggest boot (470 L).
- Pick the Force Motors Gurkha if you want the most power (138 bhp), the most seats (7).
- Pick the Kia Syros if you want the lowest starting price (₹8.42 Lakh), the best claimed efficiency (up to 20.8 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
Citroen BasaltX in short
The BasaltX is India's most affordable coupe-SUV — the sloping-roof Basalt launched in August 2024, refreshed as the X in September 2025 with six airbags standard, a new dashboard and more equipment. Power comes from an 82 PS 1.2 NA petrol or a 110 PS 1.2 turbo-petrol (190 Nm with the 6-speed manual, 205 Nm with the 6-speed torque-converter automatic), and its 470-litre boot is the biggest in the compact-SUV class. A 4-star Bharat NCAP rating and famously supple ride quality back its fight against the Tata Curvv, the only other coupe-SUV at this price.
Full BasaltX prices & variants →Force Motors Gurkha in short
The Gurkha is Force Motors' hardcore ladder-frame off-roader, reborn in 2024 in 3-door 5-seat and 5-door 7-seat forms. Its trump card is unmatched at any price near it: front AND rear mechanical differential locks as standard — the Mahindra Thar and Thar Roxx offer at most a rear locker — plus a 700 mm water-wading depth and 233 mm of ground clearance. The FM 2.6 diesel makes 140 PS and 320 Nm through a 5-speed manual with low-range 4x4 on every unit; there is no petrol, no automatic and, unusually, no published ARAI mileage figure.
Full Gurkha prices & variants →Kia Syros in short
Launched in early 2025, the Kia Syros slots between the Sonet and Seltos with boxy, EV3-inspired styling and a surprisingly premium cabin. It brings big-car features to the sub-4-metre class, including a panoramic sunroof, Level 2 ADAS and segment-first reclining-and-sliding rear seats with ventilation. A 5-star Bharat NCAP rating strengthens its case against the Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza and its own sibling, the Sonet.
Full Syros prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
BasaltX vs Gurkha vs Syros — which should I buy?
Pick the Citroen BasaltX if you want the biggest boot (470 L). Pick the Force Motors Gurkha if you want the most power (138 bhp), the most seats (7). Pick the Kia Syros if you want the lowest starting price (₹8.42 Lakh), the best claimed efficiency (up to 20.8 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among BasaltX, Gurkha, Syros?
The Kia Syros starts lowest at ₹8.42 Lakh, against ₹8.55 Lakh for the BasaltX and ₹16.31 Lakh for the Gurkha (ex-showroom, October 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Citroen BasaltX: 4 stars; Force Motors Gurkha: not yet NCAP-tested; Kia Syros: 5 stars.