What Is the Weird Gap Between Car Cup Holders For? (And Why It’s Actually Brilliant)
slot is especially common in:
Honda vehicles
Toyota models
Nissan cars
Mazda sedans and SUVs
Auto Interior
Older Ford and GM trucks
Many early 2000s models included this design as a quiet convenience feature. Some newer vehicles now use adjustable or modular cup holders instead, so the slot may look slightly different or disappear entirely—but the principle remains the same.
Other Clever Ways People Use the Slot
Even though grocery bags are the intended purpose, drivers have found plenty of creative secondary uses over the years:
Purse or handbag straps: Keeps bags upright and prevents them from sliding onto the floor
Takeout bags: Fast food containers stay secure during turns and stops
Cell phone holder: Some phones fit horizontally inside the slot (though not the original intent)
Sunglasses or gum storage: Not official—but many people use it this way
Reusable shopping bags: Works exactly like disposable
