Do pickup trucks have bench seats?
Yes. Pickup trucks can have front bench seats in some configurations, but the modern norm for crew-cab models is front bucket seats with a center console. Bench seating remains available on certain Regular Cab or base-model layouts and in older configurations.
Current landscape: front-seat layouts in modern pickups
Across today’s market, the front-row seating in pickups varies mainly by cab type and trim. Here is a snapshot of what buyers commonly encounter.
- Regular Cab (two-door) pickups are the most likely to offer a front bench seat, often configured as a 40/20/40 split to accommodate three across the row when needed.
- Crew Cab / Quad/Double Cab configurations almost always come with bucket seats and a center console, making bench seating uncommon on modern trims. Some base or older-year models may still offer a bench option.
- In many brands, bench seating is typically limited to base or work-trim lines; higher trims and most crews favor bucket seats for interior layout and storage.
- The shift toward bucket seats aligns with interior upgrades, electronics, and cargo-storage consoles that centralize controls and amenities.
In summary, bench seats persist mainly in Regular Cab or specific base configurations, while bucket seats dominate most modern crew-cab pickups.
What to check when shopping for bench seating
If a three-across front seat is important, buyers should verify the exact seating arrangement on the model they’re considering. The following checklist helps distinguish bench seats from bucket-seat layouts.
- Cab type: Confirm whether the truck is Regular Cab (more likely to have a bench) or Crew/Quad/Double Cab (more likely to have bucket seats).
- Trim and options: Look for a bench-seat option described as 40/20/40 or a bench seating configuration in the seat specifications.
- Model year and region: Availability of bench seating can change year-to-year and may vary by market; always check the window sticker or dealer inventory.
- Impact on features: A bench seat often means a different center area (no fixed console) and can affect storage, climate controls, and multimedia placement.
Careful verification helps ensure the chosen truck matches seating preferences rather than relying on a generic stereotype of “all pickups have buckets.”
Historical context and evolving trends
Bench seating is part of a broader shift in pickup interior design. Earlier pickups routinely offered front bench seats across many configurations. Over the past decade, however, front buckets with a center console have become the standard in most crew-cab models for reasons of comfort, ergonomics, and interior technology integration. Buyers seeking a three-across setup should particularly inspect Regular Cab variants or specific base trims, as availability diminished in higher trims and in most crew cab layouts.
Practical notes for buyers
For anyone considering a bench seat in today’s market, the key takeaway is to check the exact cab, trim, and year in the vehicle’s specifications. A bench may be available on some base models, but not on the popular higher-trim crews. If interior layout and console storage matter, a bucket-seat configuration with a center console is likely the default choice.
Summary
Pickup trucks still offer bench seats, but primarily in Regular Cab or special base trims. In most modern crew-cab models, bucket seats with a center console are standard. Always verify the specific cab type, trim, and year to confirm seating arrangements before purchase.
