There’s a slow revival happening in the pickup-truck world—and it’s not with the oversized crew-cab behemoths you’ll see rolling by with the whole neighborhood in tow. Rather, it’s the under-the-radar hero: the king cab. This configuration is carving out a niche that blends utility, versatility, and the smartest compromises. If you’ve been wondering, “Why do I still see these extended-cab trucks?” “Should I buy a king cab instead of a full crew?” This story is for you.
Here’s the deal: if you don’t haul five adults every day, but you do haul gear, tools, bikes, lumber, or dogs—and you want a little room in the back seat for the occasional passenger—then a king cab is the sweet spot. Let’s dive into why the king cab is getting a second wind.
Why The King Cab Format Is Making Noise Again
Truck styles come and go, but the king cab has always been lurking in the background—until now. What’s changed? A few things: buyers are more selective; they want utility and everyday usability; they don’t necessarily need the full-sized rear cabin every time. So the king cab is resurfacing as the smart pick.
Here’s a look at the advantages of the king cab pickup format:
Extra Storage And Longer Bed
One of the sharpest advantages of a king cab truck over a full crew cab is bed length. Because the cab doesn’t extend as far for big rear-seating space, the manufacturer can allocate more chassis length to the cargo bed. For example, in the case of the Nissan Frontier King Cab vs its Crew Cab sibling, the King Cab offers a six-foot (73.3-inch) bed, while the Crew Cab shortens the bed to around 59 inches.
That extra bed length matters: for hauling lumber, ladders, tools, kayaks, or any gear that’s long or awkward, the king-cab bed makes life easier.
Plus, the smaller rear-seating area (or jump-seat format) of the king cab often translates into additional in-cab storage (under seats, behind seats, behind that smaller back row). Some owners treat the rear space as a “tool-bag day seat.” As one Reddit user said:
It’s not for people. It’s for stuff.
That pretty much nails it. If the question is “am I hauling people or stuff?” and the answer tilts toward stuff, the king cab wins.
Here’s another angle: the king cab truck gives you the utility of a pickup, with a smaller footprint than many crew-cabs. Because you’re sacrificing full-scale rear-leg room and four full-sized doors, you gain maneuverability, easier parking, a lower price tag, and perhaps lighter curb weight. That means the king cab pickup can be more nimble in urban/suburban settings while still offering a real bed.
When comparing King Cab vs. Crew Cab, many sources point out that the King Cab is ideal if you “need the bed more than the back seats.” So yes—there’s a pragmatic middle-ground emerging in the king cab form.
King Cab Trucks Are A Better Value
Since the king cab configuration delivers fewer full-sized seats, the manufacturing cost may be lower, and the price can reflect that. Also, if you rarely carry rear-seat passengers, paying for a big rear cabin may be a waste. Many truck-buying guides across the internet say the king cab often offers “many of the same benefits as larger trucks but at a more affordable price.”
Add in the fact that you’re not hauling five people every day, and you might end up saving on fuel, tires, insurance, and general complexity.
The Trade-Offs: What You Sacrifice To Gain The King Cab
Alright, nothing’s perfect: the king cab pickup format has trade-offs. If you’re reading this to see if it fits you, let’s be clear.
Rear-Seat Space And Access
King cabs usually have smaller rear doors (often rear-hinged or “suicide” doors) or half-doors; the rear seats are typically jump seats or shorter benches, with limited legroom. For example, one comparison of the Frontier listed rear legroom in the King Cab at around 681 mm vs the Crew Cab’s 843 mm.
So if you’re regularly driving with adult rear-seat passengers, or if car seats and full-size access matter, the king cab may feel cramped.
Fewer amenities or Fewer trims
Some king-cab variants are offered primarily in the work-truck trims (fewer premium options) because the target buyer is someone prioritizing bed and utility. Some Reddit owners mention:
The only disadvantage of the King Cab is the options available from the factory.
So if you crave all the bells and whistles (leather, heated rear seats, premium audio for all passengers), you may have to check availability.
Resale And Availability
Because king cab pickups are less common nowadays (most buyers gravitate to crew cabs), the availability of new models or high-spec trims may be limited. That affects resale value or parts. If you listen closely, some buyers lament that “they only make crew cabs now.” So if you’re buying with resale in mind, do your homework.
Trucks That Still Offer A King Cab
Okay, the proof is in the models. If you’re considering a king cab pickup truck, here are some real-world examples that show this configuration in action.
- Nissan Frontier King Cab: As noted earlier, the Frontier offers a King Cab with a six-foot bed in many model years. That extra bed length and compact cab make it a favorite for gear-haulers.
- Nissan Titan King Cab: Even the full-size Titan has offered a King Cab body style—with a long bed and smaller rear seat—for buyers who prioritize cargo.
- Chevrolet Colorado (Extended Cab): Though “extended cab” may shade into “king cab,” the Colorado’s extended-cab versions reflect the same basic principle of fewer full doors + longer bed.
- Toyota Tacoma Access Cab: Similarly, the Access Cab variant of the Tacoma offers less rear cabin space than the Crew, but more than a regular cab, giving a similar trade-off.
These illustrate that the king cab pickup format exists across both midsize and full-size segments—and those who know what they want are opting for it.
Who Should Seriously Consider A King Cab?
If you ask yourself the following and answer mostly “yes,” then yes—the king cab truck may be the right move:
- Do you haul long items (lumber, ladders, bikes, kayaks, tools) more often than you haul six people?
- Is your daily driver use more gear-focused than passenger-focused?
- Do you want a workable bed and occasional rear seating, rather than a full-family-sized interior?
- Do you park in tighter spaces or simply prefer a more compact footprint while keeping a real bed?
- Are you comfortable with rear seats being used occasionally rather than full-time?
If you answered yes to most of those, the king cab pickup offers a winning formula: utility and flexibility without paying for “seats you don’t use.” On the flip side, if you’re frequently driving four or five adults, car seats, friends, service crews, and road trips with passengers, then a crew-cab may still be the right call.
Why The King Cab Is Cool
Let’s wrap this with a fun thought: the king cab is sort of underrated. It doesn’t have the badge-of-honor status of the massive four-door mega-cab; it isn’t the macho lighting rig of the lifted competition trucks. But it is smart. And practicality is making a comeback.
The king cab gives you a long bed. That long bed gives you freedom to haul. And yet you don’t lose all the extra cabin versatility. It’s the best of both worlds if your use case fits.
Plus, with fewer doors and smaller rear seats, you get slightly lighter weight, perhaps better handling, easier parking—and that adds up in real-life driving. And we haven’t even touched on cost savings: less cabin space = lower cost for manufacturers = often lower price for buyers, possibly better fuel economy since you’re not hauling a bigger load.
Don’t Fall For The Massive Trucks Anymore
If you want a pickup truck that hauls like a real truck, that keeps the bed long, that still gives you rear seats when needed—and you don’t need to ferry full-size crews every day—then the king cab pickup truck deserves your attention. It’s the classic format making a comeback, and perhaps the smartest choice for many.