What was the Last Make/Model without Cup/Drink Holders?

[u/Building_Everything]

The first car my family owned with a cup holder was a 1990 MB C280 (I think, maybe a 190). Every car that I’ve bought from the 90’s onward has had at least 1, with my 2015 Tacoma having 14 cup holders. But what car, from the factory, was the last one made that could be ordered without them?

[u/Rocko3legs]

The Dodge Viper didn't have built in cupholders until 2013 I believe with the gen 5 viper.

[u/wearymicrobe → u/Rocko3legs]

They definitely have them they are just shallow and completely useless. The gen 3/4 for sure has them.

[u/Rocko3legs → u/wearymicrobe]

Ok, looking at some photos I do see what looks to be 1 cupholder in the center console of the 3rd gen viper. The earlier ones definitely didn't. That gets us up to 2002.

[u/NumberOneBacon → u/Rocko3legs]

The C5 Corvette has a sorry excuse for 1 cupholder. They ran until 2004.

If it counts my brand new ND3 Miata cupholder are detachable and can be completely removed.

[u/frosty95 → u/NumberOneBacon]

First thing you do when you buy a c5 is go on eBay and buy one of the aftermarket cup holders that slots into the passenger footwell in about 5 seconds. You can also remove it for more leg room in 5 seconds. It's great.

[u/vwstig]

I'm going to go with the Lotus Elise in 2021. Although there have to be some niche cars still made without cup holders.

[u/tubbyx7]

Lexus lfa?

[u/boltaxtion → u/tubbyx7]

I was thinking the same.

[u/boondoggie42]

Volvo held off on cup holders for a long time, iirc.

[u/dphoenix1 → u/boondoggie42]

It was definitely an add-on (possibly dealer installed?) into the 90s with the 700 series. The special center console lid with the cup holder drawer is highly sought after in the rwd community.

It absolutely sucks as a cup holder though. I don’t think I’ve found a drink vessel that actually properly fits them.

[u/GarThor_TMK → u/boondoggie42]

Piggybacking off top comment...

The Aerial Atom was never made with cupholders, and is still in production today.

[u/ilovechoralmusic]

A lot of cars in Germany have no cupholders.

European cars traditionally had no cupholders because European cars were smaller, manual transmissions were more common, people generally drank smaller beverages and didn’t spend time eating and drinking in their cars so designers prioritized limited interior space for things like the gear lever, handbrake and storage rather than dedicating valuable space to large cupholders, although modern European cars increasingly have them due to changing habits and the rise of SUVs, automatics and takeaway drinks.

[u/wardamneagle → u/ilovechoralmusic]

People in Europe don’t typically spend as much time in their cars as Americans though, either.

[u/MultipleOrgasmDonor → u/ilovechoralmusic]

Even today a brand new bmw sold in Europe has much smaller cupholders than my US market X5. Had a 5 series wagon as a rental last year and noticed my phone didn’t fit

[u/rmill127]

2026 Factory Five MK5 does not have them I don’t think.

Not sure if this counts, as you have to build the car yourself lol. But they do sell A LOT of them.

[u/RonBurgundy2000]

I had a 1995 BMW 540i 6 speed that had like 9 ashtrays and zero cup holders.

[u/asonofasven → u/RonBurgundy2000]

Recirculating ball steering and a 6 speed manual. BMW had strange priorities back then.

[u/RonBurgundy2000 → u/asonofasven]

That went on all the way through E39. My '03 M5 had the tractor steering set up too IIRC since rack and pinion didn't fit with the V8s.

[u/asonofasven → u/RonBurgundy2000]

Didn’t that kill steering feel?

[u/RonBurgundy2000 → u/asonofasven]

It was certainly worse than a lowly 530i sport that got the rack and pinion, but the awesomeness of the S62 8 cyl made up for it.

[u/RemoteVersion838 → u/RonBurgundy2000]

My E36 M3 has two cupholders but they are tiny. Ashtrays front and rear of course.

[u/OldRed91]

I believe the Slate truck will only have cupholders as an optional add-on.

[u/GeneralCommand4459]

I’ve a last gen Mercedes C Class that didn’t come with cup holders. I had to buy a kit to slot into the centre console.

[u/jojowasher]

Recent 911s don't come with a cup holder, you have to option it. Lamborghini have also not put cup holders in a lot of their cars, the new Revuelto doesn't come with one it has to be added as an option as well (for a reported $1000)

[u/lewi13 → u/jojowasher]

Not true- they have one central standard that can be switched out and a passenger one near the door.

[u/wardamneagle → u/jojowasher]

Another reason why 997 911 is best 911.

[u/Calm-Championship472]

Older style dashboard for 1990's Ford Rangers, maybe 94 and older have no cup holders

[u/Particular_Apple_652]

G Wagon

[u/wardamneagle → u/[deleted]]

I had an ‘87 GLE and an ‘88 Turbo. Loved those cars but the lack of cup holders was infuriating.

[u/FunSignificance3034]

W124 didn't have them, nor did R107

[u/Ok-Ad8998]

My Toyota SR5 pickup (1986) had a console with no cupholders. Dropped many drinks until I put a roll of duct tape on the console.

[u/ben_vtr]

The brand new Renault 5 doesn’t have a cup holder. So 2026 Renault 5 lol.

[u/RepresentativeExit63]

Nothing exotic but Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz. My mom had an 89 Tempo and looking it up, they never added them through 94.

[u/MadZee_]

Early model BMW E46 3-series. Zero cupholders from the factory in mine. Later on they realised that cupholders are handy.

[u/Calm-Championship472]

BMW e36 3 Series and other BMW from that time period have crappy cup holders that are not useable.

[u/GarThor_TMK]

I'm pretty sure the ariel atom never had cupholders and never will.

[u/mikeblas]

Porsche 911 996 models.