The reasons can be superstitious: Don’t put your handbag on the floor or you’ll lose money. They can be practical: You need to reach your tote bag to grab your sunglasses or wallet. The reason can be simply reasonable: When my purse fell on the floor my kids would step on it getting in and out of the car. Not a sensible way to treat a Prada bag, wouldn’t you say?
And then, there’s the safety issue: A handbag on the front passenger’s seat can become a projectile aimed at your head if you’re hit from the side. Luckily, car makers recognize that women buy 65% of all cars and have tried to address this, coming up with some great natural places to put your purse. Being thought of before the car is designed rather than after endears us to that car.
So when you’re shopping for your next car, be sure to look for a great place to put a handbag, such as a tray in front of the console in the Honda Odyssey, above. These are our other favorites, and the cars that sport them.
An Under-console Bin May Be the Best Solution Ever
Kia wasn’t the first to add a bin under a floating center console, seen here in the Kia EV9, but this may be the largest. It has a nice deep space and a lip that keeps things from rolling out. There is no worse threat to a driver from inside a car than something rolling under your feet so you can’t operate the pedals. Here, my large tote bag fits with only a bit of squishing it into place.
Watch our deep dive of the Kia EV9.
A Full Size Bin in a Full Size SUV Is Ideal—and You Can Close It!
There’s nothing like a large SUV for great interior storage. We love that many large SUVs, including the Ford Expedition, pictured here, have a large bin that can hold a large handbag. These bins are often found in pickup trucks, too, which makes sense; full size SUVs are usually build from the same frame as that brand’s full size pickup truck.
The 2020 Ford Expedition Will Take You (And the Family!) to All the Places
This Sliding Console May Be The Most Brilliant Handbag Spot Ever
We couldn’t get over this one: The center console in the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe can slide back to reveal the perfect place to put a large handbag. It’s the ultimate drop and go spot, and as a bonus, it pushes the cup holders and center console closer to second row passengers so they can more easily reach it. The power-sliding center console is available or standard on all but the entry level Suburban and Tahoe.
We took a video tour of the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe
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This Under-Console Bin Is Smaller, But Works Too
When Lincoln introduced the redesigned Navigator in 2018, this floating console with a lower bin was revolutionary. Lincoln is often the first to come up with smart features like this so we’re not surprised to see that the idea has taken off and been improved. Here’s our video tour of the Lincoln Navigator
This Space Was Designed For More Bin, Less Console
In the 2025 Buick Enclave, the center console with a handbag bin is front and center. In fact, Buick’s designers and execs led with the story that one of the first design objectives was to accommodate a handbag. We haven’t had the chance to test drive this car yet but you can bet when we do, the handbag test will be among the first. We got a tour of what’s new in the Buick Enclave, here.
Thank You, Nissan For a Safe Place to Put My Handbag
This cute little sports car is, like most 2-door coupes, compromised on interior space; it only has what you really need since driving, not toting stuff, is the point here. But thanks to a nicely sized shelf that rests under the hatch of the Nissan Z there’s a nice place to put a handbag. Two, in fact. Or, a couple of grocery bags, a backpack or a tote. It’s nice not to have to get out of the car to reach your purse. Here’s a look at the Nissan Z.
Elegant Means Having a Place to Stow a Clutch or Crossbody
The console shelf in the Lincoln Corsair isn’t huge but it’s ample for a small clutch or crossbody to nest while you drive. Isn’t it nice to have your handbag right at your finger tips?
A Tiny Nook Is a Great Place to Hide Your Handbag
We loved this little detail in the Lamborghini Urus: Behind the climate control panel on the center console is a small cubby that probably was intended for a phone but is ideal for our clutch bag. And, the red handle of my clutch is a perfect match for the Lambo’s Rosso leather, right? Must be meant to be.
See what else the Lambroghini Urus does for you, here.
Tuck Your Crossbody Into This Drawer… and Close it for Privacy
I loved this little detail in the 2024 Nissan Ariya: there is a dashboard drawer that pulls out and is big enough for a small clutch or crossbody. Lock and leave it at the gym or dog park. Leave it there while you drive and grab it when you get where you’re going. It doesn’t take up anyone else’s space, doesn’t dump your bag on the floor and keeps it right in view. It’s so elegant!
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Electric Car Review: A Modern Five Star Hotel on Wheels
A Door Pocket That’ll Fit My Handbag? Yes, Please!
We love when this happens: A car with a door pocket that’ll fit your pocketbook. This is pretty common, though many door pockets are divided for holding bottles. But when it works, it’s brilliant and a good sized crossbody or shoulder bag should fit. Here, Erica Mueller loved the fact that she could easily tuck her handbag in the door pocket of the Honda Pilot. Such a lovely detail!
Another Sports Car Solution for Holding a Handbag
The Toyota Supra has a nice built-in space for a handbag, though be sure to close those zipper pockets in case the bag goes flying into the back of the hatch. The Supra’s hatchback space is contiguous, so if you need to reach something that rolled back there, just pop the hatch. My bag stayed in place during my test drive and I was grateful, almost as grateful as I was simply to have a place to put my purse. Here are more reasons you’ll love the Toyota Supra
This Detail is So Brilliant We Had to Share It
OK, so maybe a handbag wasn’t the target here; it was probably a tote, backpack, coat or trash bag, but we’ll take it. The Kia EV9’s front seats have an extended seat back that allows for something to be looped around the top. The long straps on my handbag were a perfect fit, though my bag is heavy so I prefer it to sit rather than hang due to the stress put on its straps (my shoulder can attest to this!).
And Then, There’s The Good Old Go To: The Rear Seat
When it’s just you and possibly a friend, the rear seat is the natural place to put your handbag. Here my drive partner Connie and I left our bags on the rear seat while we took the Mustang Mach-E out for a spin. A bucket seat or microsuede-upholstered seat is ideal; your handbag will be cradled and not slide around every time you make a turn. Here’s what else we liked about the Mustang Mach E Rally.
When You Can, Buckle Up for Safety!
This might be the ultimate place to put your purse: Right next to you on the passenger’s seat. But if you can, buckle it in. Not only will it be safe and secure, but if you stop short it won’t go flying onto the floor, your computer or tablet won’t risk damage and your lipstick won’t roll into the abyss never to be seen again. And if the unthinkable happens and you’re hit from the side, it won’t go flying toward your head.
Flashback to 10 years ago when we first started A Girls Guide to Cars and the discussion about where to put a handbag was a robust one, mostly because there were very few good options. But now, carmakers are thinking more about the female customer, how she lives, how she drives and all the cool places she can put her handbag.
