The Exide Excell battery series offers a smart balance between affordability and reliability, making it an excellent choice for everyday drivers who need consistent performance without paying for premium features they don’t require. Positioned between Exide’s Classic and Premium ranges, Excell batteries are well-suited for conventional vehicles without start-stop systems. They feature strong cold-cranking power, decent reserve capacity, and maintenance-free design. This line is particularly attractive for drivers who want a durable battery that performs well in typical driving conditions, including urban commuting, occasional highway trips, and regular seasonal changes.
The Exide EB457 is a compact battery tailored for smaller vehicles that often require more specific fitment standards, especially those common in Japanese or other Asian vehicles. With a capacity of 45 Ah and cold cranking power of 330 A, this battery delivers dependable starting performance for small petrol cars, city hatchbacks, and compact sedans. It’s especially suitable for vehicles with relatively low energy demands that still need reliable starting capability in varying temperatures.
This battery is particularly notable for a few key non-standard features. First, it has terminal layout 1, meaning the positive terminal is located on the left, which is the reverse of the more common European setup. This is important to note because reverse polarity can make installation incompatible in vehicles not designed for this layout. Secondly, the EB457 uses terminal type 3, which are slim Japanese-style terminals. These are thinner than the typical European terminal posts, so compatibility must be ensured during replacement. These terminals are common in imported vehicles from Japan, such as certain Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Suzuki models.
The EB457 also comes with a B0 hold-down type, meaning the battery has no mounting ledge at the base. This is different from the more common B13 (which has ledges all around) or B1 (with side ledges). The absence of bottom flanges requires the battery tray to hold the unit from the sides or with a top clamp, which is again a fitment typical of many Asian vehicles. Ensuring proper mounting compatibility is crucial for safety and battery stability.
With dimensions of 237 mm in length, 127 mm in width, and 227 mm in height, the EB457 matches closely to the B24 size standard, which is widely used in compact Asian cars. This shape—tall and narrow—is a characteristic of batteries intended for engine compartments with vertical space rather than width. The height of 227 mm is also noticeably taller than most European standards (usually around 190 mm), reinforcing the battery’s focus on Asian-market compatibility.
When compared with similar models like the Bosch S4 S40 22, Varta Blue Dynamic B33, or Halfords HCB 057, the EB457 offers competitive specs. It shares the same 45 Ah capacity and 330 A cranking current as the Bosch and Varta models, while the Halfords HCB 057 offers slightly more cranking power (400 A). However, Exide’s solid brand reputation and the Excell series’ focus on dependable, no-nonsense performance give the EB457 a strong place in this segment.
In conclusion, the Exide EB457 is a well-built, compact battery tailored for small vehicles that require reverse polarity, Japanese terminal types, and no base hold-down. Its design makes it ideal for a range of imported vehicles where standard European battery formats won’t fit. For drivers looking for a dependable, budget-friendly solution with just the right fit, the EB457 is an excellent and thoughtful choice.