The idea for this article was born right after the Citroen Ami Cargo test. Can you find something similar, but in a more traditional way? Of course, the Smart 453 electric car looks like the first alternative. And when you start to study it in detail, you suddenly find even more interesting alternatives. For example, a 4-seater 4-door electric car Smart forfour ED (Electric Drive): yes, twice as expensive – but there are twice as many doors! So what is the 453 Smart forfour Electric Drive, how does it drive and how much does it cost? Now I’ll tell you everything.
Smart 453 electric car – what is it?
In the past, we talked in detail about the Smart ED electric car with a 451 body, and now it’s time to talk about its successor with a 453 body. The fundamental difference between them is not even that the design has changed or the power of the electric motor has been increased – but that the Smart 453 electric car immediately from the start of production, it was offered to customers in three different bodies: a closed 2-door fortwo variant, an open 2-door fortwo Cabrio variant, a closed 4-door forfour variant.
Although technically all three models are identical: monocoque body, rear-wheel drive, one electric motor (60 kW or 82 hp and 160 Nm), 17.6 kWh battery, full charge time 2.5-6 hours, power reserve up to 160 km (NEDC), maximum 130 km/h.
The Smart 453 family of electric vehicles debuted at the end of 2016, sales started at the beginning of 2017. Now a radically new Smart is entering the market – already in the form of a crossover. But during its 5-year life, the Smart 453 electric car managed to update and change its name: for example, the 4-door version (as a test electric car) started with the name Smart forfour Electric Drive – and after the update it was called Smart EQ forfour.
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Ye ding in three : The Smart 453 electric car has been offered in three body styles since the start of production. And for the first time in this generation, a combination of a 4-door 4-seater body and an electric drive appeared. All the more interesting is the test version of Smart forfour Electric Drive 453.
How to identify the electric Smart forfour? The easiest way is by the EQ logos on the front and back – they indicate belonging to the electric line. But otherwise, the Smart forfour Electric Drive 453 almost does not give itself away: a good body with soft contours, a highlighted (and underlined in color) frame made of high-strength steels, minimal overhangs.
The latter are really “minimal”: after all, the length of even the 4-door Smart version is only 3.49 meters – this is a typical representative of the A-class by European standards. At the same time, the wheelbase reaches 2.49 meters: and this is already a lot for the A-class! And to complete with the dimensions: the width is 1.66 meters, the height is 1.55 meters, the clearance is typically “European” 132 mm.
The small electric car Smart forfour Electric Drive 453 surprises with a large (as by the standards of the class) wheelbase. Of the interesting details, the rear windows and the EQ logos are remembered as a sign of an electric car. The front logo is located on the grille, next to the hood latch – the latter is completely unfastened and moves forward slightly, opening up access to a couple of tanks and a standard car battery. On the rear fenders there is an air channel and a charging port in place of the filler neck: instead of fossil fuels, electricity is “poured” here, which should be enough for 160 km of run.
Promised 160 km – but how much will it really pass?
The digital range meter on the test electric car gives a “factory” 160 km. But they were calculated using the NEDC method, which means a discrepancy of 25-30% with the real power reserve. How much does it get? My observations give 120-130 km in reality. The power reserve is easy to track on the display in the center of the huge tachometer. And the battery charge and instant energy consumption can be tracked on a separate ball to the left of the steering wheel. Moreover, the power meter stands on its own leg, it can be turned right / left, and the scale and arrows are clearly drawn with fiction.
Like the rest of the salon: wherever you look, it’s interesting everywhere! Here are the ventilation deflectors in the form of balls with a 3-beam Mercedes logo and, at the same time, the smart inscription. Here is climate control with a temperature selection slider – and a magnifying glass is inserted inside the slider to better see the already selected degrees. But the passenger seat with a pull-out tray for small items. Let Renault be recognized in some buttons and switches, but in general, the front of the cabin very successfully combined cool design, practicality, and visibility.
But the back and trunk – they just exist, exist, are present. The second row offers a minimum-sufficient supply of space for two adults: there is enough space above the head and legs back to back (but still enough). Although someone may lack full-fledged drop-down windows: folding windows are used instead. Yes, and you can’t accelerate with a trunk – its volume of 185 liters is enough only for ordinary daily purchases. However, you don’t demand more from Smart. By the way, please note: part of the trunk is occupied by a removable niche-box for storing the charging cable.
One phrase about the salon – it is made with fiction! Many details successfully combine design and practicality: appliances, climate control unit, ventilation deflectors. In the center of the round speedometer is a digital display with a power reserve and an indicator of “eco” driving: my result reached 84-85% maximum. The level of battery charge and energy consumption / recovery – on a free-standing double pointer. The front seats have integrated headrests: they look cool. The rear seats are just there. However, like the trunk. Okay: plunged – let’s go!
Just let’s go. They didn’t “fly”, they didn’t “roll”, but they drove. When starting from a standstill, the Smart forfour ED 453 electric car just starts to go: without dramatic pressing into the back of the seat, but also without disgruntled hurrying horns from behind. The dynamics are generally sufficient for urban traffic, 60-70 km / h are easily reached, and only closer to the “hundred” does the acceleration fuse subside. But all the accelerations that are needed in the city – they all occur smoothly and inextricably thanks to the electric drive. And slowdowns too. The Smart electric car does not have the ability to adjust the intensity of recuperation, but here they guessed well from the factory – medium intensity, similar to the “B” mode of the first Nissan LEAF. You can influence the dynamics only with the help of the “ECO” button, when turned on, the acceleration intensity subsides a little, but also kilometers of power reserve are added.
As for the suspension and handling, I remember two points. Firstly, I remember a very “long” steering wheel – 3.5 turns from lock to lock. Although everything is not just like that: excellent eversion of the front wheels gives excellent maneuverability. Secondly, the suspension is quite soft – but in a small range. Therefore, all small and medium bumps are passed with comfort and swaying. And on large pits, you have to pretty much slow down: otherwise the small wheels fail, the whole body shudders because of the short base. In a word, do not look for pretentious handling or super-comfort here. But look for ease of movement and ease of operation for city streets and you will find it.
The habits of the Smart forfour ED 453 electric car are determined by its layout: the power of the electric motor is enough for active starts and acceleration to a speed of 60-70 km / h, rear-wheel drive and a large eversion of the front wheels guarantee maneuverability – an excellent urban option. And once again returning to the predicted power reserve: it directly depends on the on / off “ECO” mode (the button next to the lever) and the operation of the heater / air conditioner. Take a look at the numbers – the discrepancy is 47-68 km, depending on the “ECO” mode and the operation of the interior heating / air conditioning.
How much does such an electric car cost? Specifically, this instance presented in the article is about $15.6 thousand (a used electric car manufactured in 2018, mileage is about 30 thousand km). And today there are more and more such options: similar Smart 453 electric cars in Europe are now being withdrawn from leasing and rental offices – so they can go to Ukraine en masse. This means more supply and lower prices. For example…
For example, you can find 2-door or 4-door options, in a different body color and with different interior trim, there are even versions with a soft top. Differences in equipment are minimal: monochrome or color display, regular or alloy wheels, heated seats. Similarly, with the price and mileage – about $ 14-16 thousand for 3-4-year-old electric vehicles with mileage of 15-38 thousand km.
As a result: Smart electric car is an alternative to what?
This is an alternative to the Nissan LEAF from about 3-4 years ago. Remember: at first, any electric car (including the Nissan LEAF) was an expensive exotic – but soon after the “leaves” became very numerous, they really turned into a massive and relatively affordable electric car “for the people”. Of course, used copies of the Nissan LEAF could be blamed for a small power reserve – but everyone was forgiven for its price, soft suspension, and relative ease of repair.
This is what the used Smart electric car in the 453 body is now becoming: an interesting alternative that claims to be its own transport for the city and suburbs. Albeit with a small power reserve and little space – but also with low mileage and a fresh battery, with excellent maneuverability and simple controls, with a “toy” design and thoughtful interior. Is such a set of qualities worth $15,000 plus/minus? And here everyone decides for himself. Looking forward to your opinions in the comments below!
