I use it for Kleenex. I have a copy of the 2001 Ford Escape Launch Video which is an internal Ford video produced to acquaint salespeople with the vehicle's features. (The 2001 has the exact same spring tab). From the video:

The narrator is an automotive engineer demonstrating some of the Escape's features for Ford's salespeople.

"One of the things I liked when I got into Escape and popped open the console is how deep it was. It's large enough to hold this (temporarily removes, then replaces, a zippered portfolio from the console) and still close the lid. And when I opened the lid, I noticed that there's a place to store CDs (removes one CD in its jewel case, two remain) hidden up in the lid of the center console....something of ahh, as we call it, a surprise and delight feature. But its a nice place to store CDs, handy and out of sight."

2006 FEH 4WD Dark Shadow Gray