Citroën India has teased its upcoming “X” variant for the Aircross—dubbed Aircross X—giving car buyers a good sense of what’s in store before its official launch. Pre‑bookings are already open, and from what’s been revealed so far, the Aircross X promises a meaningful upgrade in features, styling, and comfort, even if the mechanicals are largely unchanged. Here’s a closer look at what the Aircross X brings to the table, and whether it could be worth the wait.
What’s Changing: The Upgrades & Exterior Highlights
If you’ve seen the Basalt X and C3 X updates from Citroën, the Aircross X follows a similar template.
- Exterior mild refresh: The overall look of the Aircross remains familiar. Expect new badging—an “X” badge on the tailgate—and potentially a new dark green colour option in the paint lineup.
- Feature-rich lighting & convenience: LED fog lamps, updated interior trims, ambient lighting, and more premium touches are expected.
Interior: Cabin Refresh & Added Comforts
This is where much of the Aircross X’s value seems to lie. The interior is getting a perceptible upgrade.
- Dashboard redesign: The Aircross X will adopt a more squared‑off dashboard layout (dual‑tone) with repositioned air‑con controls. The central touchscreen will now be “freestanding”, and the instrument cluster might also move to a freestanding screen setup.
- New upholstery & trim options: Expect fresh upholstery colours, upgraded materials in higher trims, possibly more soft touch surfaces or leatherette in select areas.
- Comfort & tech features: Among the new features are ventilated front seats, push‑button start/stop, keyless entry, ambient lighting, LED fog lamps, auto‑dimming IRVM (interior rear‑view mirror), wireless phone mirroring/charging, and a possible 360‑degree camera in top trims.
- Cara voice assistant: Citroën’s in‑car AI assistant “Cara” is likely to be offered in the top‑spec Aircross X.
Powertrain & Mechanical: More of the Same
If you were hoping for big changes under the hood, the Aircross X probably won’t deliver.
- Engine options: Carrying over the familiar 1.2‑litre naturally aspirated petrol and the 1.2‑litre turbo petrol. The NA motor remains manual, while the turbo petrol variant is expected with both 6‑speed manual and a 6‑speed torque converter automatic.
- CNG variant possibility: Citroën is also reportedly planning a CNG version of the Aircross, especially for markets and states where CNG use is popular (e.g., NCR, Gujarat). This would use a certified retrofit kit rather than being factory‑fitted, and likely only with the naturally aspirated petrol engine and manual transmission.
Pricing, Bookings & Timing
- Pre‐bookings: Open for a token amount of ₹ 11,000.
- Launch timeframe: Expected during the upcoming festival season.
- Pricing: While exact on‑road figures aren’t confirmed yet, the Aircross X will likely be priced above current Aircross trims to reflect its added features. Given previous “X” updates (Basalt X, C3 X), Citroën seems to be positioning these variants to offer more value without pushing price too steeply.
What Stays the Same & What to Watch For
- Ride & driving dynamics: Since the mechanicals aren’t being upgraded, expect the same handling, comfort, ground clearance, etc., as the current Aircross. If you’re satisfied with those in your test drive, this new variant’s improvements will mostly be in features and aesthetics.
- Feature‑to‑price value: The real question will be whether the new features, especially in higher trims, justify the price incremental. Things like ventilated seats, 360‑degree camera, voice assistant, etc., are nice, but their importance depends on what you – as a buyer – prioritise.
- Dealer/service network and support: For buyers in smaller cities, ensuring availability of parts, service experience, and after‑sales support will remain key. Sometimes the extras are less useful if servicing is difficult.
Initial Thoughts: Who Is It For?
The Aircross X looks like it’s suited for buyers who:
- Value comfort and tech: Want a more modern cabin, more creature comforts, and the latest features without going into premium pricing territory.
- Want style & convenience: If things like better cabin ambience, ambient lighting, updated trims matter to you, this variant gives more “feel‑good” bits.
- Want flexibility: Especially the availability of automatic transmission, possibly CNG in certain regions, and more trims/features to choose from.
For buyers more interested in performance, off‑road capability, or radical exterior redesign, this might not be the update that moves the needle. But for its segment, the Aircross X seems to be a sensible evolution rather than a revolution.
Conclusion
The Citroën Aircross X is shaping up to be a compelling upgrade: not a game changer mechanically, but one that enhances comfort, tech, and design in ways that are noticeable. With pre‑bookings open and launch likely around the festive period, Citroën is aiming to appeal to buyers who want more luxury and convenience from their SUVs without going overboard on expenditure.
