Cupholders vs. Cargo Space: What Car Buyers Want in 2025
So what are the feature priorities for U.S. car buyers? There are 3 clear numbers out in front, and then also-rans. Important also-rans. But lagging fuel, safety, and price:
Notice "cupholder count" never cracks this list - but that doesn't mean they're irrelevant.
Today's automakers brag about "seven-point spill defense" and modular inserts that grip everything from a 16-oz. paper cup to a 32-oz. steel tumbler. Still, drivers report flaky retention and odd geometries that leave your reusable bottle wobbling or sloshing coffee over the console. This quantifiable complaint-surge in 2025 is driven in part by the surge in popularity of insulated tumblers and wide-mouth bottles.
Related: Lexus And Nissan Top New Car Quality List as Audi and Volvo Sink to the Bottom
Cargo volume remains a major selling point - Statista's 2024 survey places it at 35% importance among buyers. SUVs alone accounted for roughly half of 2024 new-vehicle sales, while pickups added another 25%, underscoring Americans' appetite for flexible load floors. Fold-flat seats, under-floor bins and removable dividers now populate spec sheets, even if marketing videos rarely spotlight cubic feet.
Balancing cupholders with cargo isn't just an exercise in console sculpting. Engineers must integrate spill-resistant geometry without sacrificing knee room or dead-flat storage. In the latest midsize SUVs, you'll find four deep-well rings up front and a retractable rubber mat in the trunk that clicks into place - because a rogue soda can rolling around at 70 mph can rattle more than your teeth.
Look in any parking lot at dawn and you'll spot the rituals these features enable: latching a travel mug into its padded cradle, then stashing a gym bag in the rear hatch before the commute. Cleaning-hack videos abound - channels like this Chemical Brothers tutorial on ejecting liner rings and rinsing spilled Gatorade from console crevices - proof that cupholders now demand as much TLC as oil changes.
Fuel efficiency, safety and price still reign supreme in buyers' minds. Cargo space holds its own in the battle for third place. Cupholders don't show up on headline stats, but rising complaint rates and DIY cleanup videos tell another story: in the land of drive-thru breakfasts and tailgate parties, a well-designed cupholder is nothing short of essential.
At highway speeds, your java's fate may hinge less on horsepower than on a tiny bit of molded plastic.
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
7 Key Signs Hybrid Cars Aren't the Right Purchase for You
As the overall trajectory of the automotive market continues to lean toward electric vehicle (EV) companies, carmakers are trying to plug into the hybrid car market. Though they have sprung up around the world and traditional carmakers are retooling their lineups, EVs still face an uphill battle in a lot of ways. Learn More: For You: The pace at which EV sales are growing has fallen short of industry expectations. With electric specifically, Americans seem to remain cautious regarding their high prices, limited battery ranges and insufficient charging infrastructure. Hybrid cars offer numerous benefits to drivers — including reduced emissions, savings at the pump, savings on regular maintenance and through tax credits and incentives, unmatched fuel economy and resale value. Hybrids (but not plug-in hybrids [PHEVs]) are also becoming more reliable. Depending on an individual's needs, driving habits and priorities — including things like size, features and budget — hybrids might not be the right choice for everyone. Here are seven signs that a hybrid car might not be the best purchase for you. Generally speaking, hybrids tend to cost more than comparable gas-powered vehicles (but less than EVs). So, if you're on a tight budget or prioritize upfront affordability, a hybrid might not be the best choice for you. Although hybrid owners often justify the higher purchase cost of their vehicle by saying that they'll make that up eventually with fuel savings, this might take longer than buyers think. Many drivers who choose to buy eco-friendly and fully electric motor power want to lessen their impact on the environment. With a hybrid, you are still partially dependent on fossil fuels as it runs on both electricity and gas. Additionally, hybrids still have some environmental impact during the manufacturing process and vehicle battery pack disposal. Consider This: Although automakers are expanding performance capabilities and building quality designs throughout their lineups all the time, hybrids are manufactured to improve fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions. Because of this, they generally have slower top-end acceleration than traditional models. If power and handling are must-haves, you might be disappointed at your hybrid options. Hybrid cars have two sources of power (the gas engine and the electric motor), so there is less regular wear and tear on the car's engine — and typically fewer trips to the mechanic. However, as Kia noted on their website, when repairs are needed, it may be difficult to find an affordable mechanic who specializes in hybrid technology. Luckily, batteries can last more than 150,000 miles. But when they finally go, they are expensive to replace. Both hybrid and electric vehicles tend to thrive in stop-and-go city traffic, where their regenerative braking systems come into play. If your daily commute takes significant miles or is mainly spent on the highway, or if you're a strictly Sunday driver — popping out to the grocery store once a week or driving only short distances — paying more for a hybrid vehicle might not be worth your while. Don't worry. You can absolutely tow with your hybrid, but because fuel engines — which are necessary for towing and hauling — are frequently smaller in these models, towing capacity is lower. The Hyundai Ioniq and the Toyota Prius weren't exactly engineered to create the power needed to move your car, the people with you and a heavy load. In many cases, it costs more to insure a hybrid because they're worth more than traditional ICE vehicles. Due to specialized technology and higher damage claim and repair costs, you can expect to pay more on average — an estimated 7% to 11% more — to insure a hybrid vehicle or electric car as compared to its traditional gas-powered counterpart. David Nadelle contributed to the reporting for this article. More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks The 10 Most Reliable SUVs of 2025 This article originally appeared on 7 Key Signs Hybrid Cars Aren't the Right Purchase for You
Miami Herald
19 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Cupholders vs. Cargo Space: What Car Buyers Want in 2025
Cupholders have quietly graduated from afterthought to headline feature in U.S. vehicles - yet their design still trips up more drivers than you'd guess. J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study reports that cupholder‐related complaints climbed 12% year-over-year, making them one of the top 15 most-cited interior issues. So what are the feature priorities for U.S. car buyers? There are 3 clear numbers out in front, and then also-rans. Important also-rans. But lagging fuel, safety, and price: Notice "cupholder count" never cracks this list - but that doesn't mean they're irrelevant. Today's automakers brag about "seven-point spill defense" and modular inserts that grip everything from a 16-oz. paper cup to a 32-oz. steel tumbler. Still, drivers report flaky retention and odd geometries that leave your reusable bottle wobbling or sloshing coffee over the console. This quantifiable complaint-surge in 2025 is driven in part by the surge in popularity of insulated tumblers and wide-mouth bottles. Related: Lexus And Nissan Top New Car Quality List as Audi and Volvo Sink to the Bottom Cargo volume remains a major selling point - Statista's 2024 survey places it at 35% importance among buyers. SUVs alone accounted for roughly half of 2024 new-vehicle sales, while pickups added another 25%, underscoring Americans' appetite for flexible load floors. Fold-flat seats, under-floor bins and removable dividers now populate spec sheets, even if marketing videos rarely spotlight cubic feet. Balancing cupholders with cargo isn't just an exercise in console sculpting. Engineers must integrate spill-resistant geometry without sacrificing knee room or dead-flat storage. In the latest midsize SUVs, you'll find four deep-well rings up front and a retractable rubber mat in the trunk that clicks into place - because a rogue soda can rolling around at 70 mph can rattle more than your teeth. Look in any parking lot at dawn and you'll spot the rituals these features enable: latching a travel mug into its padded cradle, then stashing a gym bag in the rear hatch before the commute. Cleaning-hack videos abound - channels like this Chemical Brothers tutorial on ejecting liner rings and rinsing spilled Gatorade from console crevices - proof that cupholders now demand as much TLC as oil changes. Fuel efficiency, safety and price still reign supreme in buyers' minds. Cargo space holds its own in the battle for third place. Cupholders don't show up on headline stats, but rising complaint rates and DIY cleanup videos tell another story: in the land of drive-thru breakfasts and tailgate parties, a well-designed cupholder is nothing short of essential. At highway speeds, your java's fate may hinge less on horsepower than on a tiny bit of molded plastic. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
I Asked ChatGPT Which Car Brand Has the Most Reliable Vehicles — Here's What It Said
When it comes to car shopping, reliability isn't just a buzzword; it's a long-term financial strategy. A dependable vehicle can save you thousands in repair costs, preserve resale value and help you avoid the dreaded inconvenience of a breakdown at the worst possible time. Be Aware: Read More: Curious about which car brand reigns supreme in reliability? GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT to weigh in. Here's what it said and why it matters to your wallet. Toyota emerged as the top choice, and it wasn't even close. 'Toyota consistently ranks as one of the most reliable car brands in the world,' ChatGPT explained. 'Its vehicles are known for their longevity, low maintenance costs, and strong resale value.' That tracks with findings from top industry sources like Consumer Reports, J.D. Power and RepairPal, which frequently rate Toyota and its luxury counterpart Lexus near the top for reliability. According to RepairPal, Toyota earns a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, placing it in the top tier of all car brands. Check Out: Buying a car isn't just about what you pay today. It's also about what it costs you over time. Here's where Toyota shines financially: Lower repair costs: The average annual repair cost for a Toyota is around $441, compared with $652 across all models, per RepairPal. Better resale value: Toyota vehicles tend to depreciate slower than many competitors, saving you money when it's time to sell or trade in. Fewer unexpected repairs: High reliability means fewer surprise expenses, which helps you stick to your monthly budget. If you're planning to hold on to a car for the long haul (or just want to avoid costly headaches), Toyota's track record makes a strong case. ChatGPT didn't stop at Toyota. It also gave honorable mentions to several other brands: Honda: 'Another reliable Japanese automaker with strong performance in compact cars and small SUVs,' it said. Subaru: 'Known for safety and reliability, especially for drivers in snowy climates,' ChatGPT explained. Mazda: 'Often overlooked, but its cars blend reliability with fun-to-drive dynamics and upscale styling,' it said. Each of these brands offers dependable options that won't drain your wallet with surprise repairs. Interestingly, some well-known luxury brands didn't make ChatGPT's reliability short list. 'Brands like BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz tend to score lower on reliability due to complex engineering, higher repair costs, and expensive parts,' ChatGPT noted. While these cars may offer top-tier performance and design, they can come with long-term financial trade-offs that buyers should consider, especially if they're looking to minimize ownership costs. Whether you're buying new or used, car reliability is one of the smartest factors to consider — especially in today's high-interest, high-inflation market. ChatGPT's verdict? Toyota is your best bet if you want a worry-free, cost-effective vehicle. And if you're looking for alternatives, Honda, Subaru and Mazda are also solid, wallet-friendly picks. In the end, the most reliable car brand isn't just about fewer trips to the mechanic. It's about greater peace of mind and stronger financial security. More From GOBankingRates Are You Rich or Middle Class? 8 Ways To Tell That Go Beyond Your Paycheck This article originally appeared on I Asked ChatGPT Which Car Brand Has the Most Reliable Vehicles — Here's What It Said
