STANDARD CAB OR CREW CAB

[Granite]

As for those who thinks nobody wants a standard cab, standard cab pickups were all there was for over 50 years. Now people want what their neighbor has, a 19+ foot long hard to park behemoth. Look at all of the crew cabs on the road and count the people in them. People are using them as cars. There’s nothing like a standard cab short bed for maneuverability and good visibility. Me and one friend or maybe my dog will do just fine. Great for trips to school or the lake or just something I can take out in the woods and actually turn around without having to back out.
Park it at Walmart and not leave it sticking out into the traffic lane.

 

[SparkYellow]

It is a blessing to have separate vehicles and each dedicated to a unique purpose. Many folks have to use their trucks to haul the family (even if occasionally). I thought Porsche SUVs are a similar compromise/solution. 😅 Many are not able to buy coupes, convertibles, and cars with manual transmission due to similar concerns.

 

[MotoGary]

I don’t care at all that it’s a standard cab truck. I’m only interested in the Slate because of the SUV package. That’s something that rarely factors in to the discussion.

I know that most people want the truck version, but I think once people start seeing the SUV version on the road, there will be more interest in the concept that it can be either a truck or an SUV.

 

[Mackleandy]

I'm going to start with a standard truck. Upgrades should be easy to do if I want to go SUV.

 

[2thlesswithta2s]

My dad hauled around a family of 4 in a standard cab. It also had a bench seat. He installed seat belts before they were standard equipment or even an option.

 

[Sasquatch]

I just want a cheap small truck for work. I don’t need the extra room in the cab just a lockable work bed cap. And low cost to operate.

 

[enigma9o7]

I still think they made a big mistake not putting bench seat up front and making it a 3-seater standard cab, like my '92 ranger, which I had to reach between the middle passengers legs to shift! Slate is WIDER and AUTOMATIC so no good reason they made it a 2-seater.

Apparently the reason is because it would get a lower crash rating, which some people care about. I've never known (or cared about) the crash rating of any vehicle I've ever had before so it would be a meaningless value to me....

 

[kvermeer]

I still think they made a big mistake not putting bench seat up front and making it a 3-seater standard cab, like my '92 ranger, which I had to reach between the middle passengers legs to shift!

I had the same bench seat in my '93 Ranger! Teal green and purple pinstripes was quite the color combo, and it probably only made 85 horsepower, but when my girlfriend slid across the bench that didn't matter to either of us.

And now it's 2026, and she's my wife!

Apparently the reason is because it would get a lower crash rating, which some people care about. I've never known (or cared about) the crash rating of any vehicle I've ever had before so it would be a meaningless value to me....

Crash rating matters because it's closely correlated to crash safety, meaning the #1 risk of death or serious injury to myself, my aforementioned wife, and our son is reduced.

Also, even if I get lucky and never get in a crash, a better safety rating reduces my insurance rates.

 

[GrizzlysGhost]

I still think they made a big mistake not putting bench seat up front and making it a 3-seater standard cab, like my '92 ranger, which I had to reach between the middle passengers legs to shift! Slate is WIDER and AUTOMATIC so no good reason they made it a 2-seater.

Apparently the reason is because it would get a lower crash rating, which some people care about. I've never known (or cared about) the crash rating of any vehicle I've ever had before so it would be a meaningless value to me....

I'm hoping there is an aftermarket supplier that offers a bench seat "filler" that fits between the seats (where the center console would be). I know the product exists for other vehicles so am pretty optimistic one would eventually be available for Slate.

 

[KevinM]

I still think they made a big mistake not putting bench seat up front and making it a 3-seater standard cab, like my '92 ranger, which I had to reach between the middle passengers legs to shift! Slate is WIDER and AUTOMATIC so no good reason they made it a 2-seater.

Apparently the reason is because it would get a lower crash rating, which some people care about. I've never known (or cared about) the crash rating of any vehicle I've ever had before so it would be a meaningless value to me....

You bring back memories, I had a 2 door 94 Ranger with a manual and a front bench seat. Yes, it was always an interesting conversation with my passenger when I shifted gears.

I think one reason for the emphasis on a very good crash rating is increase the sales appeal. Chris Barman, the former CEO of Slate, wants parents to be able to pass the truck down to their teen age kids. She is a mother and I believe a grandmother. Mothers always worry about their teenage kids and their driving; so many mothers will want a good safety rating for any truck that their child drives.

 

[2thlesswithta2s]

I wonder if front bench seats can even pass NHTSA regulations anymore?

 

[atx_ev]

I for sure am going to give the slate to my son (he is 13) that will start learning to drive in 2 years. I want the two seater so he has no capability to load the car with 5 people which is against the law. I would like a very good crash rating

My daughter did illegally transport too many teens.

 

[Driven5]

Now people want what their neighbor has...

One multi-purpose vehicle that meets all their commuting, family, and lifestyle needs, while also being economical enough that they can't actually justify a more specialized multi-vehicle solution.

I wonder if front bench seats can even pass NHTSA regulations anymore?

You can still get them in some full size truck configurations, so they at least can if it's wide enough.

 

[EJensen]

I for sure am going to give the slate to my son (he is 13) that will start learning to drive in 2 years. I want the two seater so he has no capability to load the car with 5 people which is against the law. I would like a very good crash rating

My daughter did illegally transport too many teens.

According to ChatGPT and Gemini (so consider the sources) it is legal in Texas for people 18 and older to ride in the open bed of a pickup. If that is correct, I assume you'll be addressing that subject with your son.

I'm also assuming you're in Texas.