Yep, the openings are small and the spacing tight. Since we rarely buy drinks larger than small or medium it isn't a problem for us but sure can be for those who have large travel mugs or buy large drinks!
For years Daimler would not design cup holders into their interiors because they believed folks had no business eating and drinking while driving as it takes away concentration from driving. They eventually gave in.
I try not to drink while I'm driving. It's not that I'm concerned with being distracted while driving, it just for me drinking = peeing. And having to pee is much more distracting than being thirsty. ( I know, too much information LOL). But with my wife it's a habit. She would simply dry up and wither away if she didn't bring along a cup of coffee or a bottle of water. She leaves them in the car and I always get stuck cleaning out the empties and the half full ones.
From my reading on this; cup holders are an American thing - not european. BMW had to add cup holders to satisfy the US market. Apparently Germans don't sip a Starbucks and drive the autobahn at the same time.
Initially, you are right. Mercedes was very stubborn about putting these in their cars - and BMW still is. However the American way has forced them in pretty much every car made. As more and more people spend more time in their cars it makes sense.
I had a soda can tip out of my cup holder as I tried to contort my hand behind the shift shift to grasp its slippery skin however the all season mats caught the spill.
You'd be surprised how slowly traffic on the autobahn is nowadays, particularly around the cities. Tons of Eastern European trucks as well.
I think it's nice to have the option and a cupholder can nicely double as a place to stash your cell phone. I do like how Porsche has tried to stay somewhat pure, however.
Yeah I got the cup holder problem as well. For me I don't bring or buy drinks in the Smart unless I take a drink before work and that glass drink doesn't fit in the front cup holders... The rear cup holder (where the armrest should be) fits. I'm picky in terms of drinks and coffee since I love my coffee made at home and my water is better than other from the filter system.
These cup holders are useless. Wouldn't even hold my metal grande cup. It did fit in the one between the seats. And the sunglasses holder, can anyone fit their sunglasses in it? We can't.
I spent weeks trying to "cure" this issue, with all kinds of options, the Cheapest one was I found one at Target, for about $3, and took a Carpet knife, and cut off all but the cup holder, it added about 4 inches up, and made it about 1/2 wider with a bigger mouth. My issue was I use a Tervis Tumbler 24oz mug for coffee each day, and it just barely fit, and a one good corner, and it was on the floor. I'll post some pics of later.
Sold at Target. Check online for availability before going. The store near me says they have two left in aisle E34, cool.
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