Car interiors are meant to be useful and comfortable. Every part should serve a purpose, especially for drivers who spend a lot of time behind the wheel. One important spot is the center console — the space between the front seats.
This area is supposed to help you store everyday items. It often holds things like your phone, wallet, sunglasses, or even a water bottle. A good center console can make your ride feel more organized and stress-free.
But not all cars get this part right. Some vehicles have center consoles that are just not practical. They may look stylish, but they fail to offer enough space or the right shape for storing common items.
In many models, the console is too shallow. It can barely hold a few coins or a set of keys. If you try to fit more, things may slide around or fall out while driving.
Other times, the design is the problem. Some consoles are oddly shaped or full of hard dividers. These parts waste space and make it hard to fit anything inside properly.
Some lids open in strange ways that block your hand or arm. Others don’t open fully, making it hard to see or reach inside. It becomes more annoying when you’re in a rush.
Sports cars often skip usable storage in favor of sleek design. While they may look great, their center consoles feel like an afterthought. The result is less convenience for everyday use.
Even some compact SUVs, which are meant to be practical, offer limited space in this area. This can be disappointing for people who need room for family items or road trip gear.
1) Toyota C-HR
The Toyota C-HR is a compact SUV that stands out because of its bold and modern design. It looks sporty on the outside and feels smooth on city roads, making it a popular pick among younger drivers.
While the C-HR is fun to drive and easy to park, it has some drawbacks when it comes to interior practicality. One of the biggest issues is the storage space in the center console, which is quite small.
The center console is the area between the front seats where drivers usually store small items. In the C-HR, this space is narrow and shallow, making it hard to fit useful things like sunglasses, wallets, or even a small snack.
For people who like to keep things organized during their drive, this can be frustrating. The design does not offer much room to store daily-use items within easy reach.
Many drivers expect compact SUVs to offer a good balance between size and storage. Unfortunately, the C-HR doesn’t live up to those expectations when it comes to the center console.
Families who carry things like chargers, tissues, or small toys may find the limited console space annoying. It simply doesn’t provide the convenience that most drivers look for in this segment.
Some owners also report that the position of the center console makes it hard to reach comfortably. This is especially true when trying to access it while driving, which can be distracting and unsafe.
Toyota clearly focused on style and design with the C-HR, and it shows in the exterior and dashboard layout. But in doing so, they seem to have overlooked the need for practical storage.
Other compact SUVs in the same price range offer deeper and better-shaped consoles. That makes them more suitable for people who want both design and daily-use convenience.
Also read: 5 Cars That Are Only Reliable in the First 2 Years and 5 That Get Better With Time
2) Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a lightweight sports car that is loved for its fun driving experience. It offers sharp handling, quick acceleration, and a low, sleek design that appeals to car lovers.
This two-seater is perfect for weekend drives or enjoying a twisty road. However, when it comes to everyday convenience, the Miata has some serious limits, especially with storage space.
One of the biggest problems is the center console. It’s extremely small, and there’s barely any room to keep things like a phone, wallet, or other essentials.
Unlike larger cars that offer deep or well-shaped console bins, the Miata gives you just a tiny compartment. Even that space feels more like an afterthought than a useful feature.
Some drivers try to use door pockets or the glovebox, but those are also small and not ideal for regular use. This makes it hard to carry anything beyond the basics.
Because it’s a sports car, Mazda focused more on performance than practicality. This means interior storage was not a top priority during the design process.
For people who use their car only for short trips, the lack of console space might not be a big issue. But if you plan to take the Miata on longer drives, this can quickly become frustrating.
There are also no rear seats to use for extra storage, unlike many other compact vehicles. That makes every bit of cabin space even more valuable — and the Miata simply doesn’t deliver.
Even small items like sunglasses or a charger cable can feel like clutter in the Miata’s cabin. You have to plan carefully just to keep the space tidy.
3) Honda Civic Type R
The Honda Civic Type R is a high-performance version of the popular Civic hatchback. It’s well-known for its powerful engine, sharp handling, and sporty design that attracts car enthusiasts.
This car is made for people who love driving fast and feeling connected to the road. Every part of the design focuses on speed, performance, and control behind the wheel.
But with all the focus on performance, the Civic Type R sacrifices some everyday comforts. One of the key areas where it falls short is the center console storage.
The center console in this car is not very deep. It’s shaped in an unusual way that makes it difficult to store everyday items like a phone or wallet.
Instead of offering a flat and open space, the console includes strange curves and limited room. This makes it hard to fit items neatly or reach them easily while driving.
There are cup holders and a small tray, but those features don’t really help much. For longer drives, you may find yourself wishing for more space to keep your things organized.
The Civic Type R is meant to be a race-inspired car, so it’s clear that speed mattered more than storage. While this is great for track days, it can be less helpful during your daily routine.
People who use their car for commuting or errands might find the console frustrating. It’s simply not built with storage convenience in mind.
Some drivers get creative by using aftermarket organizers or shifting items to the glovebox. But even those are only temporary fixes for a basic design flaw.
4) Older Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is known for its strong off-road ability and rugged design. It’s a favorite among adventure lovers who enjoy exploring rough roads and outdoor trails.
Older models of the Wrangler focused more on durability than comfort. While they handle rough terrain well, they often miss out on everyday features like smart interior storage.
One of the biggest complaints is the center console. In many older Wranglers, the console is too small or shaped in a way that’s not useful.
This space between the front seats is meant to hold small items like your phone, keys, or charger. But in these Jeeps, the console can barely fit basic things.
Some models have a narrow, deep box that makes it hard to find items quickly. Others have shallow trays that are not secure, and items slide around while driving.
For drivers who take long trips or carry daily-use items, this can be annoying. You may end up putting your things in the glovebox or door pockets instead.
Jeep likely focused on making the Wrangler strong and simple, which is great for outdoor use. However, that design didn’t leave much room for comfort and convenience inside the cabin.
In older versions, even the lid of the center console could be awkward or flimsy. It didn’t feel very secure, and sometimes it was hard to open while driving.
Newer Wrangler models have improved slightly in this area. They offer a bit more storage and better design, but older ones still show their age in this department.
People who drive older Wranglers often add aftermarket storage solutions. This helps, but it also shows that the original console wasn’t very practical to begin with.
5) Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro is a muscle car that delivers strong performance and bold styling. It’s popular for its powerful engine, sporty looks, and exciting driving feel.
This car is built to go fast and look good while doing it. But inside the cabin, it’s not as roomy or practical as many drivers might hope.
One area where the Camaro falls short is the center console. This part of the car, meant for storing small items, is very limited in size.
The space between the front seats is tight, and the console storage reflects that. It can barely hold anything more than a phone, wallet, or a set of keys.
There isn’t much depth or width in the console, which makes it hard to store anything larger. Even trying to place small accessories can feel like a tight fit.
The shape of the console doesn’t help much either. It has a narrow and shallow design that doesn’t offer flexibility for different item sizes.
If you’re someone who likes to keep a charger, sunglasses, or other personal items nearby, this can become a daily frustration. You might need to shift those items to the glovebox or door pockets instead.
Because the Camaro’s focus is on speed and design, comfort and storage seem to come second. That trade-off may be fine for some, but it’s noticeable during regular use.
The rest of the cabin also feels tight, so there’s not much extra space to make up for the console’s limits. You won’t find many clever storage tricks here.
For drivers who just want a thrilling drive, the Camaro delivers on that front. But if you’re hoping for smart and usable cabin storage, especially in the center console, it doesn’t do much to impress.
Also read: 5 Vehicles That Handle Mountain Roads and 5 That Struggle With Elevation
6) Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is a small city car that is loved for its cute looks and easy handling. It’s perfect for driving through traffic and fitting into tight parking spots.
This car was made with space-saving in mind, both inside and out. While it works well for city life, it does not offer much room for comfort or storage.
One clear example is the center console area. In the Fiat 500, this space is very simple and does not give you much to work with.
There is little room between the front seats, so the center console is extremely small. It cannot hold more than a phone, some coins, or maybe a charging cable.
The shape of the console is also not very helpful. It’s flat and narrow, leaving no depth for keeping larger items like a wallet or sunglasses.
For drivers who like to stay organized during a drive, this can be a problem. You might have to use the glovebox or side pockets to store your belongings instead.
The design shows that Fiat wanted to keep everything light and compact. That works for saving space, but it doesn’t help much with day-to-day use.
There are cup holders and a few small trays, but they are not always well-placed. Sometimes items don’t stay in place and can move around while driving.
This car is best for short trips or light travel where you don’t carry many personal items. It’s not built for long drives or carrying lots of small things in the cabin.
If you value storage in your car, especially in the center console, the Fiat 500 may not meet your needs. It puts design and compact size first, but that comes at the cost of convenience.
7) Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper is a small car known for its fun design and sporty handling. It’s a favorite among drivers who want a car that feels unique and playful on the road.
It offers quick steering, a smooth ride, and a retro-modern look that stands out. But while the outside design is impressive, the inside has some downsides.
One main issue is the center console storage. The space between the seats is limited and not very practical for daily use.
The console area feels tight, with very little room for personal items. It’s hard to store things like a phone, wallet, or sunglasses comfortably.
Cup holders are also placed in strange spots, making them difficult to use while driving. Some are set too far back or too low, which isn’t helpful for the driver or front passenger.
If you try to keep drinks, cords, or small items there, it often becomes cluttered quickly. The design simply doesn’t make good use of the space available.
The Mini Cooper was clearly built for style and driving fun, not for smart storage. This becomes more noticeable if you spend a lot of time in the car each day.
There are other small storage areas, but they’re not always easy to reach. For people who like to stay organized, the setup may feel a bit frustrating.
Even though the Mini is not a large car, better console planning could have helped. Many compact cars still manage to offer clever storage, but the Mini falls behind in this area.
It’s a car that impresses with looks and performance, but not with everyday comfort. If practical interior space matters to you, this might be something to consider before buying.
8) Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is a classic American muscle car known for its bold design and strong performance. It’s a favorite for those who love powerful engines and stylish looks on the road.
This car delivers speed, smooth handling, and a fun driving experience. But like many sports cars, it focuses more on style than everyday comfort.
One area where the Mustang doesn’t do well is storage space. The center console, which sits between the front seats, is small and not very useful.
The console is narrow and doesn’t hold much beyond a phone or a few small items. If you try to store a wallet, charger, or sunglasses, the space fills up fast.
There isn’t much flexibility in how you can use the console area. The shape and depth limit what you can keep there, making it feel cramped during regular use.
Even though the Mustang has a roomy cabin for a sports car, the storage design isn’t very clever. Cup holders and small trays are available, but they don’t help much when you need extra space.
Many drivers end up using the glovebox or door pockets to keep their items. But those aren’t as easy to reach as the center console, especially when driving.
This design choice shows that the Mustang was built for looks and performance first. Convenience and storage space come second in this vehicle.
For weekend drives or short trips, the small console might not matter much. But for daily driving, it can be annoying to have so little room for your essentials.
Drivers who value speed and bold styling will enjoy what the Mustang offers. Still, it’s important to know that the center console won’t offer much support for storage.
9) Nissan Juke
The Nissan Juke is a small SUV with a bold and unique design. It stands out on the road with its sharp angles and eye-catching front end.
Inside, the Juke continues that creative style with a cabin that looks modern and sporty. However, this focus on design comes at the cost of everyday comfort and usefulness.
One of the most noticeable issues is the center console. While it has a sleek and futuristic appearance, it doesn’t offer much practical storage.
The space between the seats is tight, and the console is narrow. It can only hold very small items, like a phone or maybe a set of keys.
There isn’t much depth to the storage, so larger items won’t fit. The layout also makes it difficult to organize or reach your belongings easily.
Cup holders are placed in strange positions that don’t always work well. Sometimes they block access to other parts of the console or feel too close to the gear shifter.
The Nissan Juke’s console feels more like a style piece than a useful storage area. It looks good, but it doesn’t help much in daily driving situations.
Drivers often have to rely on door pockets or the glovebox to store their items. But those spaces also feel limited and hard to reach at times.
For a small SUV, you’d expect a bit more focus on interior storage. Many buyers choose SUVs for extra space, but the Juke doesn’t deliver that in the console area.
This design choice might appeal to people who love unique interiors. Still, it doesn’t serve drivers who want a practical and organized space while on the move.
The Nissan Juke is fun to look at and enjoyable to drive, but it falls short when it comes to storage. Its center console may turn heads, but it won’t hold much.
Also read: 8 Cars With Double-Layer Center Consoles for Organized Storage
10) Tesla Model 3 (Early Versions)
The Tesla Model 3 is a popular electric car known for its sleek design and advanced technology. It offers a quiet ride, long battery range, and a modern interior that feels very different from traditional cars.
Early versions of the Model 3 focused on a clean and simple cabin. This minimalist style means there are very few buttons, switches, or compartments inside.
One major downside for many drivers was the center console. In these early models, the console had very little storage space and few useful features.
The area between the front seats was designed to look tidy, but it didn’t offer much room to store everyday items. Things like phones, wallets, or keys could fit, but there wasn’t much else.
The storage compartments were shallow and limited in size. This made it hard to keep things organized or store larger items safely while driving.
Some owners found the console too plain and wished for more practical space. Tesla later improved this area in newer versions to add better storage options.
Despite the limited console space, the Model 3 remains a favorite for those wanting a futuristic car. Its smooth ride and tech features often outweigh the lack of storage.
People who own early Model 3s often look for additional organizers or accessories to improve the storage. These extra pieces can help but don’t fully fix the small console space.
