Built-In Car Umbrellas: History, Brands, and Unexpected Origins

Explore which cars besides Rolls-Royce have built-in umbrellas, how this feature emerged, and what makes it rare in today’s automotive industry.

If your car has an umbrella tucked into the door, it doesn’t necessarily mean you're driving a Rolls-Royce. While the British brand certainly made it iconic, the story of in-door umbrellas spans far beyond luxury badges.

When Rain Sparks Engineering

A built-in umbrella isn’t the kind of thing you appreciate on sunny days—but in the pouring rain, it becomes priceless. Wet interiors, water dripping off umbrellas, awkward fumbling at the door—these everyday annoyances led some engineers to think outside the glovebox.

The Early Days: Nissan and VW

Back in the mid-1980s, the Nissan Pulsar Langley came with an umbrella stored right in the B-pillar. Yes, a humble hatchback beat Rolls-Royce to the punch. Even the GTI-R variant kept this thoughtful feature. Meanwhile, the early-’80s VW Vanagon quietly offered a similar setup, though with far less flair.

When the Umbrella Turned Premium

In 2003, Rolls-Royce made the in-door umbrella a hallmark of its luxury image. The Phantom debuted a design where a Teflon-coated umbrella slid neatly into a vented door compartment. Later models—Ghost, Wraith, and others—followed suit. These umbrellas aren’t just tucked away—they dry automatically. And if you want one separately, prepare to spend anywhere from $500 to $1200.

Škoda’s Clever Simplicity

While Rolls defined the premium version, Škoda brought the idea to the masses. Starting in 2001 with the Superb, the Czech brand offered door-integrated umbrellas. Later, Kodiaq, Scala, and even the compact Fabia got them. There's no Teflon or drying fan—just a clever compartment with drainage, doing its job with quiet efficiency.

The Unsung Attempts

Other names joined in, too. The Volkswagen Passat and Chevrolet Volt, for instance, had dedicated umbrella holders built into the doors. These weren’t glamorous, but they showed intent—a nod to everyday comfort with thoughtful design.

Why Isn’t This Everywhere?

For all their charm, built-in umbrellas remain rare. The likely reasons? Engineering complexity, cost concerns, or maybe just lack of consumer demand. Standardizing umbrella sizes or accommodating them in door design isn’t trivial either.

Today and Tomorrow

As of 2024–2025, no new brands have jumped on the in-door umbrella train. Rolls-Royce still includes them in models like the Spectre. Škoda continues its “Simply Clever” approach, keeping the feature in many of its current vehicles. Will others follow? Hard to say. But sometimes, it’s the smallest comforts that leave the biggest impression.