Do any trucks have a bench seat?
Yes. Some trucks still offer a front bench seat, though it’s uncommon in most modern crew-cab configurations. The option is typically found on base or Regular Cab trims and in certain fleet-oriented variants, allowing three across the front row.
In a front bench setup, a single continuous seat spans the width of the front cabin with a center seat belt, enabling three passengers up front. Modern pickups overwhelmingly use bucket seats with a center console, but the bench option remains available in specific trims, generations, or markets. If you’re shopping for one, verify the exact seating configuration in the dealer literature or window sticker for the model year you’re considering.
Where bench seats appear
These configurations are most common when a truck is offered in a Regular Cab or base/work-truck setup, where price, durability, and three-abreast seating are prioritized. Look for language such as “60/40 front bench” or “3-passenger front seating” in the equipment listing.
- Regular Cab or two-door versions in base or work-truck trims, where a three-across front bench may be offered as an option or standard.
- Fleet- or business-oriented trims (often labeled Work, XL, Tradesman, or similar) that emphasize seating capacity and affordability, sometimes retaining a front bench.
- Occasionally, special editions or legacy/retro-inspired packages that intentionally preserve traditional bench seating in certain generations.
Keep in mind that availability depends on the brand, model year, and market, and even when a bench seat is offered, it may be paired with a Regular Cab body style rather than a Crew Cab.
How to verify a bench seat on a specific truck
Before you buy or lease, use these steps to confirm the seating arrangement on the exact truck you’re considering.
- Check the official brochure or window sticker for the model year and trim, and look specifically for “front bench seat,” “three-passenger front seating,” or “60/40 front bench.”
- Confirm the cab configuration (Regular Cab vs. Crew Cab) and whether the model year’s base or fleet trims offer three-across seating.
- Ask the dealer to show the front bench in person or to provide a photo of the seating layout for the exact vehicle you’re evaluating.
Note that even when a bench seat is listed, some markets or configurations may require a specific cab style or trim to keep three-across seating, so direct confirmation is essential.
Historical context and outlook
Front bench seats were once common across many light trucks, but the trend over the past two decades has leaned heavily toward front bucket seats with a center console. Bench seats persist mainly in entry-level or fleet-focused configurations and in older generations that have carried forward into the market through retro-inspired or legacy variants. As truck interiors continue to evolve with safety, technology, and creature comforts, the bench seat remains a niche option rather than a standard feature in most mainstream pickups.
Summary
In short, bench seats do still exist in the pickup market, but they are relatively rare and typically confined to specific base or Regular Cab configurations, as well as certain fleet or legacy trims. If three-across front seating is a priority, you’ll want to verify the exact trim and cab configuration with the dealer and review the model-year literature for the precise seating arrangement.
Does the Ram 1500 have a bench seat?
You can seat six people in the 2025 Ram 1500 if you choose a front bench seat, but most seating configurations accommodate five. Vinyl upholstery and manually adjustable front seats are standard.
Why don't trucks have bench seats anymore?
Bench seats vanished because modern safety engineering, packaging of electronics and HVAC, and consumer preference for individual seats and center consoles made front-middle seating impractical, costly, and less comfortable. The few remaining benches appear only where utility outweighs those drawbacks.
Do tacomas have a bench seat?
Yes, older models of the Tacoma did have bench seats, particularly on base or regular cab configurations. However, modern Tacomas primarily feature bucket seats in the front, with the Double Cab model having a traditional bench seat in the rear. The Access Cab models have smaller rear seats that are more like jump seats and not a full bench.
Older models
- Base, regular cab, and some older extended cab models often came with a front bench seat that could be a full bench or a 60/40 split design.
- This older setup was sometimes available with a fold-down center armrest.
Modern models
- Front: Nearly all new Tacomas come with bucket seats in the front. These are generally considered more modern and supportive.
- Rear: The Double Cab configuration includes a rear bench seat with adjustable head restraints and under-seat storage.
- Rear: The Access Cab (or Xtra Cab) has smaller rear seats that are not a full bench.
Can you still get a truck with a bench seat?
Trucks and full size suvs (suburban, etc) still come with bench seats.
