DangerDan

I haven't measured, but my impression is that while the 453's cargo area is deeper (front to back) than my old 450, the rear hatch opening is not as wide or ergonomic, making loading and unloading large items somewhat awkward. Bulbous is a very apt description. I've only driven a few 451s (often car2go), and haven't used their cargo areas much, but the 450 & 451 seemed to be able to handle similar loads with similar ease.

We've now passed 10000 km in the 453, total average is still an even 6.0 L/100 km, with an almost even mix of city/highway driving.

We just got back from a 1000 km road trip, the back hatch loaded to the gills with camping gear. Averaged 5.1 L/100 km, mostly on highways and winding country roads.

Given that I seem to be one of the few 453 owners on here (or indeed in all of Canada), I was still curious to find out what others might be averaging on a per-tank basis. I'm currently at 7800 km on the odometer, and haven't reset the bordcomputer since buying the car, and it tells me that it's averaging 6.0 L/100 km. My Spritmonitor's tally is at 6.12 L/100 km, which seems well within the car's margin of error. After averaging 4.6 L/100 km in my old 450 cdi, I'm happily surprised by this gasser's performance so far. How's everyone else doing?

Wow. Glad the driver walked away from that mostly unscathed. The tridion did its job well!

On a happier note, I am now seeing new 453s almost daily in Montreal. Many seem to be of the silver + black tridion variety, so I could be waving at the same (confused) driver over and over. Still, I've spotted a white + orange tridion and several blue/silver and white/black ones as well. Driving down the highway last week, I passed an older gent in a blue + silver 450 cabrio who was enthusiastically giving me the thumbs-up as I went by. I wish I could've told him that I was a 450 owner too.

I really have no idea if anything in the actual steering mechanism is different, or if the feel is simply due to the lowered suspension plus the tire/wheel combo. The non-sport 453 was remarkably less exact than my car, for sure.

The sport package includes a lowered suspension (1 cm), 16" wheels with the black y-patterned rims, wider tires, paddle shifters, stainless pedals and a chromed exhaust. The seats are a bit wide, but the interior does seem cozier overall, since there's a lot more width to the door panels. I don't think there are any other seat options though.

I had a small issue with my 453 last week, and was given a similarly-equipped passion as a loner, since a part had to be shipped from MB HQ in Toronto. The loaner didn't have the sport package or the lower-profile 16" wheels. There was indeed a distinct difference in handling. I now know what you mean when you talked of the floaty steering feel on your loaner 453. Very glad I went with the sport version!

Salut, Dave! Fellow Quebecer here. I'm in Montreal. Currently have a new 2016 smart, but had a 2005 cdi before that.

It did indeed turn out to be a faulty coolant valve (as this American smart buyer found out). The part took a day to get into Montreal from HQ in Toronto, so I was given a 453 passion loaner, similarly equipped to mine, minus the sport package. The lowered suspension, low-profile tires, and 16" wheels did make a noticeable difference in handling.

Heh, spoke too soon. Check Engine light came on the other day in 35°C stop-and-go traffic. OBD reader says code P26AB, which seems to be a faulty coolant valve. Have an appointment for Monday at MB to have it checked out, along with the TomTom thing.

I have to say that the premium fuel has been making a difference to the pocketbook. Going from a 450 to a 453 has made me more conscious of gas prices lately. The gasser is far less frugal than the diesel ever was. I used to fill-up the 450 barely caring if it was $1.00 per L or $1.30.

I'm really looking forward to a 453 ED. With much of the battery weight under the floor, it'll be interesting to compare handling characteristics to the gasser. Does your 451 ED feel any different than its petrol sibling?

Thanks. I think we're mostly on the same page, but with slightly different preferences when it comes to road feel. I do still wonder if tire/wheel combos, or if my (slightly) lowered 453 sport suspension has anything to do with how we perceive our respective rides?