Nico loves her (new-to-her) 2020 Toyota Tacoma. She also has a 200,000-mile 2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ, but this one’s about the truck. Not too long ago, she started posting some of her DIY projects and fun new accessories for both cars. The Taco got replacement tail lights, fog lights, a huge aftermarket lighting upgrade from Baja Designs, and a bed cover from Softopper. But there was still one thing she absolutely hated about the truck.

The factory cupholders turn water bottles into loose missiles

“They literally don’t fit any of my cups,” she laments. We’re talking larger-sized Yeti bottles, here.

So instead of storing her water or whatever safely within reach, she was forced to position the bottle on the passenger seat. That meant every time she hit the brakes, the bottle would go flying.

Tacoma owners across forums and Reddit often gripe that their cupholders are laughably tiny

The Tacoma gets a lot of flak for this, especially from drivers with tumblers or “big” water bottles. But who goes off-trail with just a sip of H2O?

One owner said on Tacoma World that even without the stabilizing insert, his door cupholders are also too small to hold larger hydro flasks or any larger (but practical) sized water bottle, while his friend’s full-size Silverado had no problem.

Others note that all those cupholders still don’t fit standard travel mugs. Some say there are over a dozen places to store cups and bottles, yet none welcome a 32-ounce Nalgene, Hydro Flask, or Camelbak.

Clearly, Toyota prioritized space or cost over real-world practicality.

It’s not just the Tacoma’s issue, either

These trucks may tackle mud and mountains, but if they can’t hold your mug, your morning drive is already lost. Here are the models drivers complain about the most:

Manufacturers often prioritize cab space or console real estate for storage over larger, more stable cup holders. It’s a small gripe, sure. But it’s one that many drivers feel deeply when their morning joe ends up on the floor.

Good news, though: the fix is pretty easy

You can easily buy oversized aftermarket cupholders that install using the same screw pattern as the OEM version. Most hold cups and bottles up to 3.65 inches in diameter.

Just take out the center console

I know this sounds intimidating, but trust: it’s not.

Here are the actual steps:

• Unscrew the shifter knob
• Lift up the console cover (from the back of it first)
• Disconnect the white pigtail connector
• Lift the whole assembly up over the shifter rod
• Take a Phillips-head screwdriver or drill and remove the 6 screws holding in the OEM cupholder
• Install the new cupholder
• Reposition the console cover
• Plug in the white connector
• Snap the console back in
• Reinstall the shifter knob

Eh voilà. You’re all done.

These oversized Tacoma cupholders are all priced at or under 50 bucks, btw

Nico got the cupholders from AJT Design, but there are other versions out there.

Right now, it looks like you can snag one in 10 different colors with a little removable tray insert for $52, free shipping.

They’re not just for frustrated Tacoma owners, either. The site also offers versions for the 2014-2021 Tundra and the FJ Cruiser.

MotorBiscuit reached out @nicoandyofficial via TikTok direct message to see if her Jeep has the same problem and what else she’s planning on doing with the truck.

Nico confirmed that the Jeep indeed has silly little cupholders, “though I haven’t found a solution to fit larger bottles that integrates into the Jeep’s console to look OEM.”

In terms of the Tacoma mod, she’s super happy with the swap. “The oversize cup holder upgrade has been one of my favorite additions to the truck so far,” she told MotoBiscuit in an email. “It’s a quick and easy upgrade that looks OEM and adds to the everyday comfort of the truck. Now my Yeti water bottle actually fits into the cup holders without it rolling around in the cab of the truck.”

What’s next for the truck? Installing the rest of the aftermarket lights, custom front and rear seat covers form PHP, and some suspension upgrades.