Judging by the griping about vehicle cupholders around the office and on the Internet, you would think someone would come up with an utterly fabulous solution to the problem: What do you do when there are insufficient cupholders?
Think again.
Despite America’s in-car dining habits and their oft-chronicled driver-distraction problems, people attempting to solve cupholder issues with after-market accessories will find their choices limited.
You can check with the car dealer. Or go online, where we found holders that attach to vents, illuminate and boast thermal properties.
Or visit an auto parts store.
That is what we did.
At Pep Boys, near the wheel covers and mud flaps reading "Back Off," we found several cupholders. Some worked by fitting inside an existing cupholder. Others featured a plastic console-type tray designed to sit on the back seat.
That didn’t solve the problem of a vehicle with only one cupholder in the front and a thirsty driver and front-seat passenger.
One solution:
RUBBER QUEEN’S ‘CUP-N-CAN HOLDER’
Price: $2.99
What it does: An almost 2½-inch-wide strap of sturdy rubber, with a grooved end, is attached to a heavy plastic cupholder. The grooved end is pushed into the space between the door and the window on the car door.
How it worked: It was easy enough to install — and uninstall if you decide to stow it out of sight when not in use.
We road-tested it with: • 12-ounce can of soda • Venti Starbucks coffee of the day • 32-ounce Big Gulp • 20-ounce bottle of soda
Upside: It handled all the containers pretty well, the flexible strap allowing the containers of liquid to move with the car — swerving around potholes, turning corners, etc. Which is an improvement over cupholders with stiff attachments that do not allow for such movement.
Downside: Do not attempt to open the window while using the Cup-n-Can Holder—or you will be bathed (as we were) in whatever liquid happens to be in the container.
