I Just Bought a 2025 Toyota RAV4, and It Has the Most Useless Compartment On the Console I’ve Ever Seen, Toyota Is It For McDonalds Dipping Sauces?

Toyota, what were you thinking?

The 2025 Toyota RAV4's storage compartment is a mystery; everyone is confused. 

2025 Toyota RAV4 owners and potential buyers are left scratching their heads over a peculiar storage compartment. It's too small for a key fob or even a cell phone, and it seems like an afterthought by Toyota engineers. 

Why didn't Toyota leave a smooth surface on the center console just to the left of the gear shifter on the 2019-2025 RAV4 SUV? Instead, it is a small cubby that can't be used for anything. 

In her TikTok video, Alicia (@scallopmoon_) expresses her bewilderment about the storage space in her new white 2025 Toyota RAV4. Although she's enamored with the vehicle, this compartment is a complete enigma to her and others.  

I can hear her saying, "I just bought this brand-new 2025 Toyota RAV4. I love the car, but I can't figure out what this small storage compartment is for. I tried to fit my key fob into it, but it's too small. Nothing fits in here. I am totally confused."

Besides testing her key fob, which is too big, she tried to fit a bottle of hand sanitizer in the small square space, but nothing would fit. However, a small seashell fits perfectly, and she gives it a thumbs up. She's finally found a use for it. 

Alicia Likes To Go To the Beach

She purchased the new RAV4 after owning a Honda Odyssey minivan. She's keeping the Honda in case she needs more room. But the RAV4 is her new daily driver.

Alicia says, "BTW, I still have my Honda minivan. It's been a good van! I'm keeping it around for times we need more space. I know I post the beach a lot, but my life is mostly school stuff with kids."

However, the Honda Odyssey has had its problems. Check out my report here for its engine issues. 

Back to the RAV4's Useless Storage Space. 

Nothing fits in the RAV4's small space on the center console next to the shifter, so what is its purpose and intended use? 

I couldn't find the official use description from Toyota, but comments suggest it's used for dipping sauces from fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Chick-fil-A. It's the best explanation anyone can come up with, and it's certainly the most entertaining! 

Alicia says, "I'll have to do a video on the sauces since that's half my comments! I think I have one in the fridge."

In the RAV4World threads, there's a collective head-scratching over the useless compartment. No one seems to have a plausible explanation for it. 

Some Toyota posts say the small storage compartment next to the shifter on a 2025 Toyota RAV4 is typically called a "coin tray" or "small item storage"; it's a convenient place to store small items like change, keys, phone chargers, or other little things you might need quick access to while driving. 

However, it's likely a small space that is intended for another use in the RAV4 upper trim levels. 

Traveseus says, I was a parts manager for Toyota. According to Toyota, it's a coin holder because some RAV4 trims have a terrain mode selector in that spot. 

Now We Know the Real Reason Why Toyota Put a Useless Compartment Next to the Gear Shifter

Toyota Didn't Know What Else To Do

Toyota engineers didn't know what else to do with the empty spot on non-hybrid models. The 2025 RAV4 Hybrid trims have a Trail, ECO, and Sport knob in that spot. 

How do the drive modes work? 

• Eco Mode: Reduces acceleration to improve fuel economy
• EV Mode: Uses the battery to maximize efficiency for short distances
• Sport Mode: Provides a more spirited drive with better acceleration and shift points
• Trail Mode: Increases traction on trails

Alicia has a non-hybrid RAV4 LE or XLE trim level, which does not have the round drive model knob. So she gets the useless little compartment to put seashells in; better than that, she can use it for fast food restaurants dipping sauces. 

In another video, Alicia agrees with many comments that say dipping sauce packets is the best use for it. She says, "Okay, now I know. It's the designated sauce holder."

Conclusion:

So, now we know what Toyota was thinking. 2019-2025 Toyota RAV4 owners and potential buyers know the small compartment's intended use and function. 

How about you?

What do you use the small space for in your Toyota RAV4? We're all in this together. Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Toyota RAV4 story: I Paid Too Much For My 2024 Toyota RAV4 Because the Dealer Stung Me By Issuing a Verbally Undisclosed Credit Card For an Extra $1,500 Down Payment

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Alicia