A Truck’s Crew Cab vs. Extended Cab: What’s The Difference?


in Car Buying Tips
Woman driving a truck

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If you’re looking into buying a new truck, the first thing that probably comes to mind after the make you’re interested in will be the type of cab. There are a few different options that all have pros and cons. There’s the standard “normal” cab, crew cab, and extended cab. Most truck makers will offer variations to include all three of these types. When it comes to crew cab vs. extended cab, what’s the difference?

When vehicle manufacturers realized that trucks were no longer exclusively for farmers and construction crews, they began to focus on developing the extended cab truck. The regular cab, often known as the “standard cab,” is the series’s original and smallest pickup truck. The cab is called a standard cab because it has no extra length or windows beyond the door windows, rear cab window, and windshield. Extended cab trucks are ideal for transporting freight and other supplies and more passengers.

When considering a new truck, full-size models with back doors provide greater space for the rear seats, but they also offer extra space for general storage that doesn’t need to be in the bed. It’s more practical and modern, and you won’t have to worry about a lack of passenger room. Most trucks made in the last ten years have significantly improved from the late 1980s or 1990s. The standard cab led the way but is somewhat outdated compared to other styles.

  • Nissan Frontier
  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • Ford F-150
  • GMC Sierra 1500

Extended Cabs vs. Crew Cabs: Which is Better?

There’s no right or wrong answer, and choosing between these two styles is like choosing between other makes. They have pros and cons and depend on your lifestyle, budget, and style preference. 

Because there is only one row of seating on a regular-cab truck, the number of passengers is limited; therefore, plan to accommodate a maximum of three people. The good news is that there is enough passenger capacity, with plenty of headroom and legroom. When looking into any type of vehicle, an excellent first step is to start with general research and look at several dealerships and private sellers for the best deal out there.

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Extended Cabs Vs. Crew Cabs: How Are They Different?

Extended cab trucks have additional seating that may be accessed by folding the front seats forward. Smaller doors are known as “suicide doors,” which may be used to reach the back seats in some extended cabs. These doors are hidden under the front seat’s conventional doors. This arrangement is ideal if you have a family but don’t want to drive a minivan or an SUV.

Extended cabs come in various styles from manufacturers, but they usually include a cab with two rows of seats and two, three, or four doors. Crew cabs, on the other hand, are four-door truck cabs with two rows of full-size seats. Each cab style has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Crew Cabs:

  • They are typically a bit longer.
  • They are meant to transport large groups of people, whereas standard cabs are better suited to job sites, hauling, and towing.
  • It can fit up to 6 people.
  • Have full back doors that are standard.
  • Having full-size rear windows that fold up and down is standard.

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Extended Cabs Vs. Crew Cabs: Price Difference

Crew cabs are, without a doubt, the most expensive truck option, and for a good reason. These vehicles can easily accommodate four to six persons with two complete rows of seating and plenty of passenger room. It’s a four-door vehicle that can serve as a family car and a heavy-duty transport vehicle. While the size, dash design, and extras of different brands and trims have a role in determining cab spaciousness, crew-cab vehicles, on average, offer greater room for front and rear passengers than extended cabs.

It’s vital to remember that the extra cabin room provided by a crew cab makes them appear longer on the outside.

  • Nissan Frontier
  • Honda Ridgeline
  • GMC Canyon

Extended Cabs:

  • Feature greater room behind the front row of seats but less capacity in the second row
  • The second-row seats in older pickups are frequently fold-down seats (jump seats)
  • The rear seats are usually smaller and have less legroom than the back seats on crew-cab trucks
  • Extended-cab vehicles may accommodate up to six passengers depending on the seat layout, usually with two rows of 3
  • Several truck bed sizes are available with an extended cab

Shortened or mini rear doors are standard on extended cabs which can open from the inside or outside of the vehicle. This includes rear-hinged doors that sometimes open toward the back after the front doors have been opened. This allows easy access to the back seats for stowing goods or passengers. Some earlier extended-cab vehicles have just three doors, while others have only two doors, requiring back seat passengers to crawl in from the front door behind the lowered front passenger seat. Furthermore, many older extended cabs’ rear door windows do not roll down but just push open a few inches.

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  • Ford F-150 FX4
  • Ram 1500 Laramie
  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LD 

Crew Cab Vs. Extended Cab: Takeaways

The good news if you’re in the market for a truck is that there are plenty of options for both types of trucks. Generally speaking, Crew cabs are larger, more expensive, and can have more hauling capability based on their size. Extended cabs are a bit more affordable, still provide room for towing, and generally get better fuel efficiency.

A vital step will be test driving each type since they can have a different feel of true size and maneuverability. Most trucks are just as modern as other makes and models, so you won’t have to worry about giving up interior or tech features.

Extended Cabs vs. Crew Cabs: Frequently Asked Questions

Now, let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions about truck cabs.

Which truck cab should I buy?

Whether you buy an extended, crew, or regular cab primarily depends on your needs. This guide should give you a good idea of whether an extended or crew cab is right for you. Regular cabs are an excellent option for a work truck that can seat up to three passengers. Determine what you need beforehand to buy the truck with the right cab.

What is a Quad Cab?

A quad cab is a term used by Dodge for its four-door trucks. As far as we know, it’s basically just the marketing term of the brand and assigned to its trucks with extended cabs.

How long is a truck?

Truck lengths can vary greatly. You can find a regular cab truck with a 6.5 ft bed and an overall length of about 209 inches. Meanwhile, there are also larger trucks with an 8-foot bed and more or less 220 inches long.

What does 1500 in trucks mean?

A 1500 truck has a half-ton capacity, which means it can load up to half a ton of cargo on the bed.

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