What Is the Weird Gap Between Car Cup Holders For?

If you have ever looked closely at the center console of a car, you may have noticed a strange open space between the cup holders. It looks like an unnecessary gap, but in many vehicles, that little space has a practical purpose.

It isn’t simply wasted plastic.

🚗 What Is That Space Actually For?

The gap between the cup holders can provide clearance for the handles, body, or other parts of different-sized cups and bottles.

Cup holders are often designed to accommodate containers of various shapes and sizes. Instead of making the two holders completely separate, manufacturers sometimes leave a recessed or open section between them to give larger bottles or cups a little more room.

This can also make it easier to remove a bottle without having to squeeze your fingers into a very tight space.

🥤 It Can Help With Larger Cups

Think about the different containers people carry in their cars:

• Coffee cups
• Water bottles
• Travel mugs
• Large reusable bottles
• Takeaway drink cups

Not all of them have the same diameter.

A large cup may extend beyond the circular portion of the holder, and the extra space between the holders can give the container additional clearance.