I just lately reviewed the 2024 Buick Encore GX in its new Avenir trim, appreciating the updates from its mid-cycle refresh and assessing its comfy driving model. What I did not dive into, nevertheless, had been the cupholders. Particularly, I needed to know if it may accommodate in a handy location what’s my favourite hydration facilitator, a 32-ounce Nalgene water bottle. This, like different outsized water bottles, typically cannot discover a cupholder that may match it. Its a very American drawback (we’re extra obsessive about cupholders than different markets), so can this American budget-luxury crossover fulfill my very own obsession with this huge, dumb bottle? Let’s discover out.
Ideally, we may put it within the entrance cupholders. Few automobiles’ cupholders are large enough, although, with the Chrysler Pacifica, Lexus GX and Toyota 4Runner being notable exceptions.
We will not add the Encore to that record, sadly. The cupholders are far too small.
Normally, the second best choice, if potential, is to place it within the entrance door pocket.
Voilà! It matches. No Nalgene rolling round on the entrance passenger seat on this Buick. However what about in again?
The middle armrest within the Encore GX is a high-quality place to relaxation one’s elbow, however what a few big-ass bottle of water?
Alas, the rear cupholders are equally dinky as those up entrance, which is commonly the case. The last-gen Toyota Tundra was an exception, the place the rear cupholders had been greater than these up entrance which is tremendous bizarre to me. I’mm wanting ahead to see what’s what with the brand new Tundra.
The rear door pockets are a lot smaller than these up entrance. This doesn’t look promising.
It is simply large enough that I can wedge the underside of the bottle inside, however not large enough to maintain it there when the automotive is in movement. Sorry backseaters, you’d higher settle in your lesser bottles, suckers.
I had nearly neglected this little cubby in between the entrance cupholders and middle console armrest. It is an odd form, however with some luck, the Nalgene will match.
That is the ticket! That is even higher than placing it within the door. It is not essentially the most safe match, nevertheless it’s not so large an area that the bottle knocks round and falls over with each enter to the steering wheel or pedals. This ended up being the place I put the Nalgene each time I drove the Encore GX, and, subsequently, I remained content material and adequately hydrated. And the cupholders remained open for various drinks.
Fascinated by extra than simply the cupholders? Learn my first drive evaluate of the refreshed Encore GX. If you happen to want movement photos to stills, you may watch this Nalgene take a look at beneath.
