Should The New Generation Of Full-Size GM Trucks Offer An Extended-Cab?
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With the arrival of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, General Motors opted to axe the extended-cab style with the rear-hinged “suicide” doors and the small second row, replacing it with the “double” cab. That style is just about functionally equivalent to the old extended cab, although the rear-hinged doors were lost in the process. As always, folks requiring less or more space than that still had the option of the regular and crew cabs, respectively.
A 2007 Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab
So, one might think that even with the cancellation of the extended-cab GM trucks, Chevrolet and GMC still have most every conceivable sort of full-size truck customer pretty well covered. Despite this, we here at GM Authority have received quite a few inquiries regarding the extended cab, and more precisely, whether General Motors might bring it back with the brand-new, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The answer is a resolute “no,” but the follow-up question – “why not?” – is worth exploring.
The primary difference between the old extended cab and newer double cab – apart from a small increase in size – is the absence of the rear-hinged doors. That may seem like a minute difference, but it’s actually considerable given that the intent of the extended cab is to serve customers who use the second row very occasionally. The doors mean that the usual B-pillar can be omitted, widening the aperture for back-seat passengers and making ingress and egress easier. The only trade-off is that, unlike in a double-cab or crew-cab truck, the front doors must be open in order for the rear doors to be opened or shut.
A 2007 Chevrolet Silverado Double Cab
In essence, this means easier back-row access on the rare occasion that you need to use it, with only a small inconvenience resulting. The double cab has a slightly more difficult-to-access second row, as while the back doors are roughly the same length, there is a B-pillar taking up space.
What do you think? Do you wish that GM trucks would begin selling in extended-cab configuration again? Weigh in using our online poll, and feel free to drop us a line in the comments section below. And of course, stay tuned for all the latest Chevrolet Silverado news and GMC Sierra news.
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Good reason is likely side impact crash testing
It was nice for really only one thing, getting off shaped items in the back seat and allowed for a shorter rear door. But was an absolute pain in the ass getting people in and out of the back seat especially with a car parked beside you. Also relied on a different seatbelt system incorporated into the front seats.
I was never a fan, rear hinge door with the double cab was a long overdue move
Here is the deal.
The majority wants the Crew. Most can only afford the Extra and it suits their needs.
The extended cab can be of great benefit especially in the work truck class.
I would keep the crew and extra then replace the standard cab with a extended cab of some size to make the standard cab more useful but not much larger. Make it cargo room not passenger.
I would eliminate the doors and used about half of the past extended cab room. Use front seats that slide forward or fold for better access.
Like in the Colorado the extended cab should eliminate the seats and just go cargo as no one sits there.
I had a “double cab” as a rental a couple of weeks back. My 7 and 8 year old girls – accustomed to my crew cab Sierra or their mom’s Suburban – said they liked the “cute little baby doors,” while simultaneously complaining they couldn’t easily access the back seat if they were much bigger.
A friend bought a Ford last week simply because he wanted rear-hinged only for personal use. He wouldn’t consider anything else.
After driving the “double cab,” if I had to go budget and downsize from a crew cab, I’m pretty sure I would only consider the rear-hinged.
I’ve own a few trucks with ext. cab. And hopefully won’t own another.
1.super inconvenient in parking lots.
2. More wind noise and more cab movement when off roading, which creates more noise.
3. Not as strong structurally in all cases (font, side, and rollover accidents)
4. Always a pain to have rear seat passengers, and they usually slam rear door on top of front door.
Glad GM went away from that rear hinged design and hopefully never comes back!
As an adult with size 13 shoes I find it very difficult to get in the back of a 14-18 double cab
Either go back to extended or make the opening bigger. The B billar is unnecessarily large with rounded corners (why not square?). If the crew got 3″ bigger, why didn’t the double cab?
The rounded openings make for a lighter stronger structure over square ones. That is why airliners have round windows.
The extra cab is built for price.
Yes but – if Ford can pass crash standards with no B pillar GM can find a way to use a smaller one, with squared off corners.
I would have bought an extended cab if it was available, for the extra space. I’m not married, no kids yet, so it would have been a nice spot to put groceries and other small items.
Ended up with a ‘16 regular cab long box instead
I’m surprised that so many people want the rear-hinged doors back. After being a passenger in the back of my dad’s truck with rear-hinged doors for years as a kid, I’ll never buy a truck with that style cab. The convenience of having access to the back seat without having to open the front doors is well worth the decrease in foot space when getting into the back.
Will be purchasing Ford since they respect the wishes of the truck consumer
I image in the near future when purchasing a new 4×4 truck to retire my current truck I will need to focus on the American Built foreign truck manufacturers since they will happily offer extanded king cap options. At 6′ 4′ crew cabs are a tight fit…
I have a 16 double cab and it does me just fine as someone only sits back there a few times a year and I think that is the market for them. Day to day the rear seat just holds random stuff like hats i toss back there or the wifes purse, I use the extra bed space more often.
I have a 2007 extended cab and just recently learned the new models no longer come with it. This has be so bummed that I have already came to terms with buying a Ford in the future.
I use the rear hinge doors so much every single day. I put my work bag and lunch box in the back. Why would I want to walk around a damn door every time I do that? Ease of access is unmatched with a rear hinge. I always keep the back seat folded up and use that to store my hearing protection and other items used for my lawn care company. The floor in the back has plenty of room where I have my ratchet sets and other miscellaneous tools.
All of these items contained in the back are so much easier to access when I don’t have to keep walking around a door to get between front and back. As stated, I’m already in on the F-150 for this exact reason.
Yes I do not like the look of the 4 door .
I want and would buy a regular old style extended cab. If they dont come back by 2020 I will go back to Ford.
Adios troll.
I am with you there. The people that are posting here are people that complain about room in the back seat area. How many times are you using it, as compared to the trips that you do alone or with one other person. Then there is the bed of the truck add the second door and your bed gets smaller or the truck gets longer now try parking that in the jammed parking lot.
I have had both, extended and double and I much prefer the extended. The extra hinge GM had in there made parking lots easy and the times the kids or even adults rode in the back the extended was way better for ingress and egress than the double doors.
Plus, the look alone is reason to bring them back! AN extended cab standard bed truck is the sportiest looking truck made! If I had to make a choice between losing the extended cab or a regular cab, I’d have to keep the extended as odd as that seems. They are just perfect for those who do not need a crew cab.
BTW. Interesting thing I discovered over the years, most people I know who had the extended cab, never knew about the extra hinge feature on the doors!
Agree. Ext. Cab much cleaner looking truck. People who demand “front” hinged rear doors will buy crew cabs anyway. Another cost cutting measure was the complete elimination of Reg.Cab short bed. Terrible job by GM. Money, money, money dictates just about everything they do and don’t do circa 2018.
How about an extended double cab. On the right side it would have a Front hinged door with one seat. behind the driver would have a rear henged door. For cargo no seat.
Get the extended back into production…ASAP….waiting to place an order….
I have a 2012 ext cab and three reasons why. 1) The bed length I preferred at 6.5 ft. 2) kids are gone no one needed for the back seat on a daily basis. 3) I think the truck looks better. The current one with a ridiculous small door looks all out of balance.
If you ever looked at the rear hinge of an extended cab it is double hinge set up so the door can open nearly 180 degrees is nice. It may have been dropped because of the expensive mechanics. Everyone else was still selling regular door setup so why not GM. Less cost same sales
Just make it so the rear seat folds DOWN flat for rear cargo. And bring back the step side box.
I also hope by the time I need a new truck GM Chevrolet gets their act together and offers a extended cab option to customers. I know most people buy trucks as family vehicles as to why we only see 4 door models. No everyone has young kids or a fat a** who needs 4 doors to get in & out of a truck. Not to mention the shorter beds due to 4 doors. What can you possibly haul with that? Who ever wanted 4 doors vs 2 door look since cars or trucks have ever been made. No 4 door Dodge Charger ever looked better then any 2 door Dodge Challenger. No different with trucks. $45,000 to $55,000 for a 2019 Silverado in same ugly only 4 door model no thanks. Love my Sliverado had two of them. Purchased a new one in 2013 before the change over to 4 door only. Please Please offer it back. I’m sure thousands would buy one if you did.
In 2015 Chevy changed the extended cab to the “double cab” and changed the rear door to a regular front hinged door. You still get a 79” bed. The crew cab is the larger rear door with a shorter bed at 70 “ and and that is what you almost always see with in ads and commercials. Starting at $36,000, as shown $56,000. You can order a 79” bed with the crew cab.
…but it probably won’t fit in the garage.
The last two Sierras I owned were extended cabs . In 2015 I bought a new double cab Sierra ? . I never realized how much I miss the old style “ suicide doors “ until I got into this double cab . Most of all for functionality ! The rear opening hinge was a really great design in engineering . It was so much easier to reach into the vehicle with the “B” pillar out of the way , and also with the door almost swinging 180• out of the way . I will not buy another Sierra unless they add the rear opening doors again . The truck also has a cleaner look with the absence of the rear door handles .
Please give us back the extended cab with suicide doors! We don’t need 4 doors and want the bed space
Two retirees here, no kids, no passengers, no parking lots, just open road with our coats or a few groceries in back seat. Presently pull our hvy. 33′ travel trailer to sunshine in winter months with ’12 LTZ 2500HD Duramax extended cab.Looking to renew our ’12 truck , but find 2500HD Duramax is not available in double cab-the equivalent of our present truck.
Not looking forward to Ford truck after 45 years of Chevy trucks, but Ford seems to be only option for 2500/3500HD class diesel extended cab.