Cup holders are an essential but often overlooked feature in any vehicle. They serve a simple yet crucial purpose: keeping drinks secure and accessible during a drive.
Well-designed cup holders can enhance the driving experience by preventing spills, reducing distractions, and accommodating various cup sizes and bottle shapes.
On the flip side, poorly designed cup holders can lead to constant frustration, with drinks tipping over, sliding around, or being difficult to reach. This can create messes that are not only inconvenient but also dangerous when drivers try to clean up while on the road.
In this article, we explore two contrasting groups of vehicles—those equipped with practical, thoughtfully designed cup holders, and those whose cup holders seem to invite spills and annoyances.
The cars with practical cup holders make life easier for drivers and passengers by offering secure placement, adjustable sizing, and smart positioning within reach.
Meanwhile, vehicles with poorly designed cup holders often compromise safety and comfort, causing frequent spillages and frustration.
Understanding which cars offer the best cup holder designs and which to avoid is especially useful for daily commuters, families, and anyone who enjoys having their favorite beverage on the go. With that, let’s dive into the first group: five cars with practical cup holders that truly work well.
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5 Cars With Practical Cup Holders
Cup holders might seem like a minor detail, but their design can significantly impact the convenience and cleanliness of your vehicle’s interior.
Practical cup holders go beyond just being a simple slot; they securely hold cups and bottles of varying sizes, prevent spills, and remain easily accessible to the driver and passengers.
The best cup holders are thoughtfully integrated into the cabin layout, placed within comfortable reach without interfering with other controls or storage spaces.
Many automakers have recognized the importance of this everyday feature and have worked to enhance cup holder design in their models.
Practical cup holders often come with adjustable grips or rubber inserts to accommodate everything from slim coffee cups to tall water bottles. Some vehicles even include multiple cup holders in front and rear seating areas, allowing all passengers to stay hydrated without hassle.
This section highlights five vehicles that excel at providing practical cup holders. These cars demonstrate attention to detail in interior design, ensuring that cup holders fulfill their function without compromise.
Whether it’s their size, placement, or stability, these vehicles reduce distractions and messes, making driving a smoother, safer, and more enjoyable experience.
As we detail each car, we’ll explain why their cup holder design stands out, considering factors such as size versatility, secure grip, ease of access, and integration with the vehicle’s interior. This will help you understand what makes a cup holder practical and why it matters.
1. Honda CR-V (2017–2022)
The Honda CR-V is widely recognized not only for its reliability and spacious interior but also for its highly practical cup holder design, which significantly contributes to a comfortable driving experience.
In this popular compact SUV, the cup holders are thoughtfully positioned and sized to accommodate a broad range of beverage containers, from small coffee cups to large water bottles.
Their placement is intuitive, sitting conveniently within reach of both the driver and front passenger, minimizing distraction while driving.
One of the standout features of the CR-V’s cup holders is their adjustable design. They include rubberized grips and flexible side walls that securely hold cups and bottles, preventing unwanted movement or tipping during turns or sudden stops.
This adaptability is especially useful for accommodating various container shapes and sizes, including travel mugs, soda cans, and sports bottles.
Additionally, the rear seats feature cup holders in the fold-down armrest and door panels, ensuring that passengers in the back also have secure drink storage.
Beyond secure placement, the CR-V’s cup holders are integrated into the overall interior layout in a way that avoids interference with other controls or storage compartments.
Unlike some vehicles where cup holders can feel cramped or awkwardly positioned near the gear shifter or center console, the CR-V balances accessibility and space well, contributing to a clutter-free cabin.
Owners appreciate that these cup holders make long drives more pleasant by reducing spills and keeping drinks stable, even on rough roads or when navigating sharp corners.
This reliability in holding drinks also helps keep the interior cleaner, saving owners from the hassle and expense of cleaning beverage stains.
In essence, the Honda CR-V’s cup holders are a small but vital feature that reflects Honda’s attention to everyday usability and driver convenience.
For families, commuters, and anyone who enjoys having a drink on hand while driving, the CR-V offers one of the most practical cup holder setups in its class, making it a strong contender for those who value thoughtful interior design.
2. Toyota RAV4 (2019–Present)
The Toyota RAV4 has consistently been a top choice in the compact SUV market, and part of its appeal lies in its user-friendly interior features, including some of the most practical cup holders in its class.
When it comes to day-to-day driving, the RAV4’s cup holders make a surprisingly big difference by offering secure, accessible, and versatile spots for drinks, helping keep the cabin clean and passengers comfortable.
One of the standout aspects of the RAV4’s cup holders is their generous size and depth. The front holders are designed to accommodate a wide variety of containers, from slim coffee cups to large water bottles and even tall travel mugs.
This adaptability means that drivers and front passengers can rely on the holders to fit their beverage of choice securely without the worry of tipping or spilling.
Toyota also integrates rubberized grips inside the cup holders. These grips provide a snug hold on cups, preventing unwanted movement even during sharp turns, quick stops, or bumpy road conditions.
This is crucial for reducing distractions—when a cup tips or slides, it can cause drivers to lose focus, creating a safety hazard.
Ergonomics is another area where the RAV4’s cup holders shine. Positioned slightly behind the gear shifter on the center console, they’re within easy reach without requiring drivers to lean forward or take their eyes off the road for long.
The positioning is balanced carefully so the holders don’t interfere with other important controls like the climate panel or infotainment system.
Rear passengers aren’t left out. The RAV4 features cup holders in the fold-down armrest and integrated into the rear door pockets, ensuring convenient and stable drink storage for backseat occupants as well.
This thoughtful design caters well to families and groups who want everyone to stay hydrated on longer trips.
Cleaning and maintenance are simplified with the RAV4’s smooth cup holder surfaces and rubber inserts that can be easily wiped down, minimizing the hassle after an accidental spill.
In conclusion, the Toyota RAV4 delivers a cup holder design that’s both practical and user-friendly. By balancing size, grip, and placement, Toyota makes it easier for drivers and passengers to keep drinks secure, reducing mess and distractions.
This attention to detail enhances everyday usability and is part of what makes the RAV4 such a dependable, popular SUV.
3. Subaru Outback (2020–Present)
The Subaru Outback is a vehicle built around practicality, comfort, and utility—traits that extend all the way down to the design of its cup holders.
While many drivers take cup holders for granted, anyone who’s dealt with frequent spills, unstable cups, or hard-to-reach holders knows how frustrating poor design can be.
Thankfully, the Outback doesn’t fall into that trap. Its cup holders are secure, versatile, and placed in a way that supports a smooth, distraction-free driving experience.
In the front row, the Outback features dual cup holders located in the center console. These are not just afterthoughts—they’re deep, wide, and reinforced with rubber inserts to provide excellent grip for a variety of containers.
Whether you’re carrying a slim energy drink can or a thick-walled travel mug, the holders grip the beverage without wobble. The rubber padding minimizes clinking and helps contain any minor condensation or spillage that might occur.
The location of these holders is also well-considered. They sit just behind the gear selector, spaced apart to prevent larger containers from bumping into each other.
Importantly, they are not obstructed by other controls like the infotainment system, wireless charging pad, or drive mode selectors. This attention to placement makes accessing a drink feel natural and effortless, even while driving.
Rear passengers enjoy similar convenience, thanks to two cup holders integrated into the fold-down center armrest. Subaru goes a step further by also providing molded bottle holders in the rear doors, ensuring that every passenger has at least one place to safely stow a drink.
For cleaning purposes, the rubberized inserts are removable and washable, a feature that’s particularly valuable for families with kids or outdoorsy drivers who often track in dirt and grit. It’s the kind of small detail that makes a long-term difference in keeping the interior tidy.
Owners consistently praise the Outback’s cup holders for their sturdiness on rough terrain—an essential quality for a car often used for camping, road trips, or navigating weather-worn rural roads. Subaru’s commitment to function over flash is clear here, and it results in one of the most stable and useful cup holder systems on the market.
For those who live an active lifestyle or simply want everyday reliability, the Subaru Outback’s cup holders deliver exactly what’s needed—no mess, no fuss, just solid practicality.
4. Ford F-150 (2018–2022)
The Ford F-150, especially from model years 2018 through 2022, exemplifies the kind of rugged practicality and user-centered design expected from a full-size pickup—and that includes one of the most thoughtfully implemented cup holder setups in the segment.
While cup holders might seem like a minor feature in a truck known for towing capacity and off-road prowess, their importance becomes clear in daily driving, especially for tradespeople, families, and long-haul commuters who rely on convenience and comfort during every trip.
Right up front in the cabin, the F-150 offers oversized cup holders integrated into the wide center console. These holders are deep and capable of securing everything from a 16 oz coffee to a full-size thermos or 40 oz insulated tumbler.
They include rubberized padding and flexible side grips that keep beverages stable during sharp turns, uneven trails, or even when crawling over jobsite terrain. Whether you’re driving through city traffic or hauling materials over gravel, the cup holders keep drinks firmly in place.
Their layout is highly functional as well. Ford placed them just aft of the gear shifter, with enough space around them to prevent interference with smartphone cubbies, climate controls, and the infotainment screen.
Some higher trims even feature a movable tray that can transform into an additional workstation without disrupting cup access. This multi-use design speaks to the F-150’s work-ready ethos while still prioritizing driver and passenger comfort.
Rear seat passengers are equally well-treated. The SuperCrew cab configuration includes additional cup holders in the fold-down center armrest and molded into the rear door panels. Ford ensured that no passenger is left fumbling for a place to store a bottle or coffee cup.
One often overlooked benefit is the material choice and build quality. These cup holders are made from durable, easy-to-clean plastics and feature removable rubber inserts for fast maintenance.
Whether it’s spilled soda or muddy coffee residue, cleanup is quick, which is essential in a vehicle that’s often used in messy environments.
Owners appreciate the F-150’s ability to accommodate large drinks without sloshing or spilling, and many highlight the cup holders as surprisingly refined for a vehicle primarily known for its toughness.
This perfect blend of utility and thoughtful design makes the F-150’s cup holders among the most practical in any vehicle class.
5. Kia Telluride (2020–Present)
The Kia Telluride has made a name for itself as a standout in the midsize SUV category, with a spacious, feature-rich interior and design choices that show real attention to everyday usability.
Among the many conveniences it offers, one of the most appreciated—though often underrated—features is its incredibly practical cup holder setup.
In a vehicle built for families, long trips, and group outings, having cup holders that actually work well for every passenger is not just a bonus—it’s essential. And the Telluride delivers on all fronts.
Starting with the front row, the Telluride’s dual center-console cup holders are perfectly placed for both driver and passenger.
Positioned next to the shifter but not crowding any buttons or climate controls, they’re deep enough to hold tall bottles securely and wide enough to fit thick travel mugs.
Rubber grips inside the holders prevent drinks from sliding or rattling, and their position ensures minimal distraction—drivers don’t need to reach, twist, or look away from the road to grab their beverage.
Kia also considered rear-seat usability extensively. The second row—whether configured as captain’s chairs or a bench—comes with accessible cup holders located in the door panels and armrests.
Each door pocket is molded specifically to cradle a standard-sized drink container, while fold-down armrests include additional cup slots with rubberized bases to reduce movement. For families with kids, this means fewer spills and a cleaner, more pleasant driving experience.
Even the third-row passengers, often ignored in many three-row SUVs, are taken care of. Cup holders are integrated into the side panels, placed conveniently at arm’s reach and designed to be deep and snug enough to prevent cups from tipping even when the road gets bumpy. This level of thoughtful design makes the Telluride rare in its class.
Another benefit is how easy these holders are to maintain. The surfaces are smooth, the inserts removable, and the space around them is wide enough to clean without hassle.
For families, this is a big plus—sticky juice boxes and sloshing milkshakes aren’t a problem when cleanup takes just a minute.
In short, Kia didn’t treat cup holders as an afterthought in the Telluride. They’re functional, reliable, and enhance the vehicle’s overall comfort and convenience.
Whether you’re commuting alone or hauling a car full of passengers on a road trip, the Telluride’s cup holders make beverage storage feel effortless and worry-free.
5 Cars That Spill Everything
While many modern vehicles have embraced convenience and comfort through clever design, some still manage to get the basics wrong—especially when it comes to cup holders.
It might seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of vehicle design, but inadequate cup holders can quickly become a daily nuisance.
Whether you’re juggling your morning coffee during the commute or handing a drink to a child in the back seat, poorly designed or ill-placed cup holders can lead to messy spills, stains, and even dangerous distractions behind the wheel.
The worst offenders tend to share a few common traits: shallow depth that fails to grip taller containers, awkward positioning that forces you to reach, or tight spacing that can’t accommodate standard-size bottles and mugs.
In some vehicles, the cup holders double as storage trays or wireless charging docks, but the compromises in design often make them ineffective at either role.
A cup holder that tips or releases your drink with every sharp turn or quick brake can turn an otherwise pleasant ride into a frustrating experience.
This section focuses on five vehicles where cup holder design creates more problems than it solves.
Whether it’s luxury sedans with tiny holders, compact cars with awkward placements, or SUVs that overprioritize style at the expense of usability, these models fall short in one of the simplest but most crucial aspects of interior ergonomics.
We’ll explore exactly where each one goes wrong—highlighting how cup holders that are too shallow, poorly positioned, or obstructed by other features can undermine driver comfort and cabin cleanliness.
If you’ve ever dealt with spills, juggled drinks awkwardly, or cursed the cup holder layout mid-commute, this list will feel all too familiar. These are the five cars where the cup holders just don’t measure up—and where your drink is never quite safe.
1. Mazda MX-5 Miata (2016–Present)
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a beloved icon in the world of sports cars—praised for its lightweight handling, driver-focused feel, and engaging manual transmission.
But for all its thrills on the road, it makes some significant sacrifices in daily comfort, especially when it comes to cup holder practicality.
If you’re planning to take your coffee to-go in this roadster, prepare for a bumpy ride—because in the Miata, your drink may be more likely to spill than sit snugly in place.
Right off the bat, the issue is location. The Miata’s primary cup holders are mounted low on the center console—behind the driver’s elbow.
This means that to access a drink, the driver must reach back awkwardly, often twisting their arm and taking their eyes off the road. In a car designed for dynamic driving, this is more than inconvenient—it’s a distraction.
Worse yet, the holders themselves are shallow and narrow, meaning they fail to grip containers securely.
Anything taller than a small soda cup or water bottle feels like it’s teetering on the edge, especially during cornering or hard acceleration. Miata owners often joke about how their coffee is more likely to end up on the passenger seat than in their hands.
Mazda seemed to recognize the problem and included removable cup holders in some trims, allowing drivers to reconfigure their placement. However, even the alternate mounting options—such as attaching one to the passenger-side center console—create new issues.
The repositioned holders often bump into knees, obstruct passenger legroom, or interfere with gear shifting. In some cases, owners end up removing them entirely and using aftermarket solutions instead.
Compounding the issue is the car’s small cabin space. With limited storage and narrow console surfaces, there’s little room to supplement the poor cup holders with DIY workarounds.
Combine that with the jarring suspension and enthusiastic driving nature of the Miata, and you’re practically inviting a spill every time you hit the gas or carve a corner.
Ultimately, the Mazda MX-5 Miata prioritizes driving purity over everything else—and that includes practicality.
While this might be forgivable in a weekend toy, it becomes more frustrating for daily drivers. For all its charm on the open road, the Miata simply falls flat when it comes to safely and comfortably holding your drink.
2. Jeep Wrangler (2018–2023)
The Jeep Wrangler is an off-road icon, celebrated for its rugged capabilities, modular design, and go-anywhere spirit. But despite its reputation as a trail-conquering beast, the Wrangler has long struggled with one very mundane feature: cup holders.
Whether you’re crawling over rocks or cruising on pavement, the Wrangler’s cup holders often feel like an afterthought—leading to frustrating spills and awkward access that can sour the daily driving experience.
The most glaring issue is the limited depth and width of the front-row cup holders. Located in the center console, they appear standard at first glance, but closer inspection reveals that they’re too shallow to confidently hold anything larger than a small soda or slim water bottle.
With taller drinks—like reusable tumblers or coffee cups—the risk of tipping becomes real, especially in a vehicle that frequently experiences body roll, abrupt jolts, and sharp inclines.
Then there’s the Wrangler’s signature bumpy ride. Even when driving on city streets, the suspension feels firm and unrefined compared to other SUVs.
That ruggedness might be a virtue off-road, but it quickly becomes a flaw when your coffee is vibrating out of its cup. Combine that with the shallow design, and it’s not hard to imagine the cabin stained with morning brew or sticky soda.
Another key flaw is placement. The Wrangler’s cup holders sit behind the gear selector and are recessed slightly into the console.
This positioning makes it hard to quickly reach for your drink, particularly while wearing winter gloves or shifting with precision.
It’s even worse with the optional manual transmission, where you’re more likely to bump the cup holder while rowing gears—creating a real annoyance for enthusiastic drivers.
Rear passengers fare even worse. While some trims do include fold-down armrest holders or molded door slots, many base trims leave the second row without cup holders entirely. In a family SUV or road-trip-ready 4×4, that’s a significant oversight.
In short, the Jeep Wrangler may dominate off-road terrain, but it loses control when it comes to basic comfort. While Jeep has modernized many of the Wrangler’s systems in recent years, the cup holders still lag behind the competition.
Unless you’re willing to spill or go without, it’s one of the more frustrating parts of an otherwise legendary vehicle.
3. Chevrolet Camaro (2016–2023)
The Chevrolet Camaro, known for its aggressive styling and muscle car power, is a blast to drive—but not exactly a masterclass in practicality.
While enthusiasts may forgive a few ergonomic quirks for the sake of performance, there’s no sugarcoating how poorly the Camaro handles cup holder placement and usability. In fact, it’s one of the most frequent complaints among daily drivers of this otherwise exciting car.
The core issue stems from the cup holders’ location in the center console. They’re situated directly next to the shifter and placed awkwardly close to the driver’s right arm. In manual transmission models, this creates a constant battle between shifting and sipping.
Every time you grab the gear lever, your elbow grazes or even hits whatever drink is in the cup holder. Not only does this cause discomfort—it also makes spills inevitable, especially during spirited driving or emergency maneuvers.
Even with an automatic transmission, the problem doesn’t go away. The cup holders are so tightly packed between the armrest and center stack that they barely accommodate larger cups or travel mugs.
If you do manage to fit one in, you’ll likely struggle to get it out without jostling it or knocking it into the console trim. It’s not unusual for drinks to end up on the seats, the carpet, or worse—soaked into the car’s electronics via the gear shifter cutout.
Rear-seat passengers, if anyone is unlucky enough to be seated back there, are even more deprived. The Camaro’s back seats are already cramped, and the lack of cup holders only adds to the discomfort.
There are no door pockets or fold-down armrests with holders, meaning passengers must either hold their drink the entire ride or go without one altogether.
What makes this situation even more frustrating is that the Camaro isn’t a tiny car—it’s a two-door coupe with a wide center tunnel. Yet, instead of utilizing that space wisely, Chevy’s design has placed aesthetics and form over interior function.
Owners often resort to aftermarket solutions or simply avoid bringing drinks into the car at all.
In short, the Chevrolet Camaro may deliver big on performance, but when it comes to storing your beverage securely, it misses the mark entirely. A car this fast shouldn’t require slow, delicate hand movements just to avoid a spill.
4. Toyota C-HR (2018–2022)
The Toyota C-HR entered the compact crossover market with bold styling, a youthful attitude, and aggressive lines meant to attract a modern, urban-driving demographic.
However, what the C-HR offers in edgy looks, it takes away in basic functionality—particularly in the realm of cup holders.
For a crossover that markets itself as versatile and lifestyle-oriented, the actual cup holder design is surprisingly flawed, leaving drivers and passengers struggling to keep their drinks upright and secure.
At first glance, the front cup holders seem reasonably placed—situated just below the shifter on the center console. But their shape and depth quickly become problematic.
They’re shallow and narrow, clearly optimized for small paper cups or thin plastic bottles, not the wide-based travel mugs or insulated water bottles many drivers carry today.
The grip inside is minimal, and as a result, drinks tend to wobble with even moderate acceleration, braking, or turning.
One of the most frustrating issues arises with temperature-controlled beverages. Many drivers who use larger thermoses or coffee tumblers quickly find that the C-HR’s cup holders can’t accommodate them at all.
Either the container doesn’t fit, or it fits too loosely, increasing the odds of a spill. Owners often complain about coffee splashing over the rim after a normal stop, especially when the cup’s lid isn’t leak-proof.
Rear-seat passengers get an even rougher deal. In many C-HR trims, especially the base models, there are no dedicated cup holders in the rear.
There are no fold-down armrests, and the door panels don’t feature molded bottle holders either. For a vehicle marketed to younger drivers and small families, this lack of rear accommodation is a clear oversight.
To make matters worse, the center cup holders are located in such a way that they’re affected by the placement of the vehicle’s gear selector and handbrake lever.
This creates an awkward reach and potential for interference, especially if you’re driving a model with a manual parking brake. Taller drinks can also obscure access to nearby controls or vents—further diminishing convenience.
In a car aimed at active lifestyles and frequent city use, such an omission of cup holder practicality feels at odds with its target audience.
While the Toyota C-HR may turn heads with its design, it stumbles hard when it comes to securing something as simple as your morning coffee.
5. BMW 3 Series (2012–2018, F30 Generation)
The BMW 3 Series F30 generation offered drivers a well-balanced blend of performance, luxury, and daily usability—at least on paper.
But one of its weakest and most frequently criticized aspects wasn’t under the hood or in the suspension tuning—it was in the design of its cup holders.
For a car that so carefully balances refinement and athleticism, the interior layout of the F30’s front cup holders feels like a careless oversight that continually annoys drivers.
Located low on the center console and tucked under a sliding cover just beneath the climate controls, the two cup holders in the F30 appear sleek at first glance. But their design quickly becomes frustrating in real-world use.
The shallow wells and close spacing mean drinks jostle and tip easily, especially if you’re cornering hard—which, in a BMW, is kind of the point. Owners frequently report hot coffee splashing or water bottles tipping with nothing more than a sharp left turn or a quick brake.
The cup holders are positioned directly in front of the gear lever and directly behind the climate control buttons.
If you place a tall drink—like a reusable water bottle or coffee thermos—it can block access to essential controls such as temperature dials, defrost buttons, or even the start/stop engine switch.
BMW’s emphasis on aesthetics clearly won out over ergonomics here, sacrificing usability for a cleaner visual line across the dashboard.
Worse yet, the sliding door cover over the cup holders may seem premium but actually becomes a problem if you’re mid-drive and trying to manage a drink.
The cover can’t be easily operated one-handed, and if left open, it gets in the way of manual gear changes or wrist movement around the console area. If you forget and close the cover with a cup still inside, the result is a spilled drink or a snapped lid.
Rear passengers in the F30 don’t fare much better. While higher trims included a fold-down center armrest with cup holders, base models often lacked this entirely or featured flimsy fold-outs that barely held standard-sized cups.
Overall, the F30 3 Series proves that even luxury vehicles can fumble the fundamentals. With a cup holder setup that’s both impractical and poorly placed, it’s a reminder that driver-focused design doesn’t always translate to everyday convenience—especially if you want to enjoy a drink without spilling it across your finely crafted German interior.
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