Differences between Crew Cab and Quad Cab
Contents
Crew Cab vs. Quad Cab[edit]
Crew Cab and Quad Cab are terms for pickup truck cabin configurations that both feature four forward-hinged doors and two rows of seating.[1][2] While the terminology can differ between manufacturers, "Crew Cab" universally refers to the larger of the two, prioritizing passenger space, particularly for those in the rear seats.[3][4] "Quad Cab," a term primarily used by Ram Trucks, refers to a four-door cab that is smaller than a Crew Cab, offering less rear passenger room but often paired with a longer cargo bed.[5]
Automakers use a variety of names for their four-door truck cab styles, which can lead to confusion. Generally, these styles can be categorized into two main types: a full-size four-door cab and a smaller, extended four-door cab. The term Crew Cab is widely used by brands like Ram, Chevrolet, GMC, and Nissan to denote their largest cab offerings with four full-size doors. The term Quad Cab is a Ram-specific designation for their smaller four-door option. Other manufacturers use different names for this smaller four-door configuration; for instance, Chevrolet and GMC use "Double Cab," Ford uses "SuperCab," Toyota has the "Access Cab," and Nissan refers to it as the "King Cab."
The primary trade-off between the two styles is the balance between interior passenger space and the length of the cargo bed. A Crew Cab's larger interior means it often comes with a shorter standard bed, though longer bed options are sometimes available. Conversely, the more compact rear seating area of a Quad Cab allows it to be paired with a longer bed without excessively increasing the truck's overall length.[2] This makes the Quad Cab a choice often geared towards work-related applications where cargo capacity is a priority, while the Crew Cab is often favored by those who use their truck as a family vehicle or frequently transport adult passengers.
Comparison Table[edit]
| Category | Crew Cab | Quad Cab |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Design Focus | Maximizing passenger comfort and interior space[3] | Balancing passenger seating with cargo bed length |
| Rear Legroom | More spacious, typically offering significantly more legroom for rear passengers[4] | Less spacious, with tighter legroom in the rear seats |
| Rear Doors | Four full-size, front-hinged doors for easier entry and exit | Four front-hinged doors, but the rear doors are noticeably smaller than the front doors |
| Bed Length Options | Often paired with a shorter bed, but longer bed options can be available | Typically comes standard with a longer cargo bed |
| Common Use | Family vehicle, transporting multiple adult passengers regularly | Work applications, occasional passenger transport, maximizing bed space |
| Seating Capacity | Can seat up to five or six passengers comfortably | Also seats up to six passengers, but with less comfort for those in the rear |
| Manufacturer Terminology | Widely used term (Chevrolet, GMC, Ram, Nissan) | Primarily used by Ram; other brands use terms like Double Cab or SuperCab |
| Cost | Generally has a higher purchase price than a Quad Cab of a similar trim level[2] | Typically more affordable than a comparably equipped Crew Cab[2] |
Sizing and Dimensions[edit]
The most significant dimensional difference between a Crew Cab and a Quad Cab is in the rear passenger area. For example, in a Ram 1500, the Crew Cab provides approximately 44.8 inches of rear legroom, while the Quad Cab offers around 35.3 inches.[4] This substantial increase in space in the Crew Cab makes it much more comfortable for adults on longer journeys. The front seating dimensions, such as legroom, headroom, and shoulder room, are typically identical between both cab styles from the same manufacturer.[4]
This difference in cabin length directly impacts the available cargo bed configurations. A Quad Cab is most commonly offered with a longer bed, such as a 6-foot-4-inch option on the Ram 1500. A Crew Cab, by contrast, is often standard with a shorter 5-foot-7-inch bed to keep the truck's overall length manageable, though a longer 6-foot-4-inch bed is frequently an available option on many trims.
Market and Manufacturer Variations[edit]
While the general principle of a larger "crew" style cab and a smaller "extended" four-door cab is consistent, the exact naming conventions and specifications vary across different truck manufacturers.
- **Ram:** Uses the terms Quad Cab for its smaller four-door and Crew Cab for its largest. They also offer a "Mega Cab" on heavy-duty models, which is even larger than a standard Crew Cab.
- **Ford:** Calls its smaller, rear-hinged half-door model the "SuperCab" and its full four-door model the "SuperCrew."
- **General Motors (Chevrolet/GMC):** Refers to its smaller four-door cab as the "Double Cab" and its larger version as the "Crew Cab."
- **Toyota:** Uses "Access Cab" for its smaller option (which has smaller, rear-hinged doors) and "Double Cab" or "CrewMax" for its full four-door trucks.
- **Nissan:** Designates its extended cab as the "King Cab" and its full four-door version as the "Crew Cab."
References[edit]
- ↑ "riveroakscdjr.com". Retrieved December 12, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "autosavvy.com". Retrieved December 12, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "edmunds.com". Retrieved December 12, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "keychryslerjeepdodge.com". Retrieved December 12, 2025.
- ↑ "caranddriver.com". Retrieved December 12, 2025.
