Crew Cab vs. Extended Cab: Which Pickup Truck Works Best for Families and Work?

When you’re standing in a dealership looking at pickup trucks, the difference between a crew cab and an extended cab isn’t just about space-it’s about your life. Are you hauling kids to soccer practice on weekends and tools to job sites on weekdays? Or are you mostly using the truck for work, with the occasional family trip? The cab type you pick changes everything: how many people fit, how much gear you can carry, how much you pay, and even how easy it is to park in a tight city lot.

What’s the real difference between crew cab and extended cab?

A crew cab has four full-size doors and seats up to five or six adults comfortably. The back seats are actual seats-not fold-up jump seats you have to climb over. You can buckle in three kids in the back, and they won’t be squished against the door. The legroom? About 35 inches on average. That’s enough for a 6-foot adult to sit without their knees brushing the front seat.

An extended cab, sometimes called a double cab or access cab, has two full front doors and two smaller rear doors. The back area is tight. It’s designed for occasional use-maybe for a kid or a toolbox. Legroom? Around 25 inches. Most adults over 5’8” will feel cramped. The seats often fold up, and the floor is raised, making it harder to get in and out.

Here’s the thing: manufacturers don’t always call these the same thing. Ford calls its larger rear-seat model a “Crew Cab.” Ram calls it “Crew Cab” too. Toyota calls theirs “Double Cab.” But if it has four full-size doors and usable back seats, it’s a crew cab. If it’s got tiny rear doors and barely enough room for a backpack, it’s an extended cab.

Family use: Who fits, and who gets left behind?

If you’ve got two or more kids under 12, a crew cab is non-negotiable. You can fit three car seats across the back without fighting for space. You can stash snacks, jackets, and soccer balls in the back without having to fold the seats. On road trips, the kids won’t be whining after 20 minutes because their legs are numb.

Extended cabs? They work if you only have one kid and you’re okay with them sitting in the front with you. But once you add a second child-or a dog-or a stroller-it gets messy. You’ll end up leaving stuff behind because there’s no room. And if your partner needs to ride shotgun while you drive, the back seat becomes a storage bin.

Real-life example: A dad in Bristol with two kids under 6 switched from an extended cab Ford Ranger to a crew cab Toyota Tacoma. He used to leave the booster seat in the car because he couldn’t fit it in the back. Now he can fit both car seats, a diaper bag, and a stroller folded behind the seats. He didn’t realize how much stress he was carrying until it was gone.

Work use: Space, access, and practicality

If you’re a tradesperson-plumber, electrician, landscaper-you care about cargo space and tool access. A crew cab gives you more interior room for gear, but it also means less bed space. Most crew cabs are 6 feet long in the bed. Extended cabs often come with 7 or 8-foot beds. That’s a big deal if you’re hauling lumber, pipes, or a full-size pallet.

But here’s the tradeoff: if you’re working alone, you might not need the extra back seat. But if you ever need to bring a helper-maybe a junior technician or a new hire-you’re stuck. Crew cabs let you bring a second person without renting a second vehicle. That saves time and money.

One electrician in Somerset told me he used to drive an extended cab F-150. He’d have to leave his tools in the bed because the back seat was too tight for his toolbox. When he switched to a crew cab, he could keep his drill, tape measure, and spare wire inside the cab. No more rain damage. No more theft risk. He cut his job prep time by 20%.

Price and value: How much extra are you paying?

A crew cab typically costs $2,000 to $5,000 more than the same model in extended cab form. That’s not just the cab-it’s the heavier frame, more materials, and added features. But here’s what most people don’t think about: resale value.

Crew cabs hold their value better. In the UK and US markets, crew cabs sell faster and for higher prices. A 2023 Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab with 40,000 miles might fetch £28,000. The same model in extended cab? Around £24,500. That’s a £3,500 gap-almost enough to cover the original price difference.

Insurance and fuel? Crew cabs are heavier, so you’ll pay a bit more. On average, you’ll see 1-2 mpg less. That adds up to about £150 extra a year if you drive 12,000 miles. Not huge, but worth noting.

Driving and parking: Is the extra size a hassle?

Crew cabs are longer. A full-size crew cab pickup can be over 20 feet long. That makes parking in tight spots harder. In Bristol’s narrow streets, or at a crowded supermarket, you’ll need more space to turn and park. Extended cabs are 1-2 feet shorter, which helps.

But here’s the twist: modern trucks have cameras, sensors, and even automated parking now. If you’ve got a crew cab with a rear camera and parking assist, the extra length becomes less of a problem. The convenience of having your whole family in the cab often outweighs the parking hassle.

One mum in Bath told me she used to dread parking her extended cab Ram. She’d have to leave the kids in the car while she hunted for a spot. With her new crew cab, she can pull into a regular space, open all the doors, and get everyone out at once. No more running back and forth. She says it’s the quietest win she’s ever had.

What do real buyers choose-and why?

According to 2024 sales data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), crew cabs make up over 70% of new pickup sales in the UK. That’s not because people are buying them for work alone. It’s because families want them.

Even in trade-heavy markets like Scotland and Northern England, crew cabs dominate. Why? Because most workers don’t work alone anymore. They bring assistants. They carpool. They need to move gear and people at the same time.

The extended cab isn’t dead. It still has a place. If you’re a single tradesperson who hauls long materials daily, and you rarely carry passengers, it’s a smart, cheaper choice. But if you’re a parent, a small business owner, or someone who values flexibility, the crew cab is the default.

Final decision: How to pick the right one

Ask yourself these three questions:

1. Do you regularly carry more than two adults in the truck?
2. Do you ever need to transport kids, pets, or gear in the back seat?
3. Will you still be using this truck in five years-and will your needs change?

If you answered yes to any of those, go crew cab. Even if you think you won’t need the space now, you probably will. Life changes. Kids grow. Jobs evolve. A crew cab gives you room to grow with it.

If you’re 100% sure you’ll only ever drive alone or with one passenger, and your work demands a long bed, then an extended cab saves you money and gives you more cargo space. Just be honest with yourself. Don’t choose it because it’s cheaper. Choose it because it truly fits your life.

Test drive both. Bring your family. Bring your tools. Sit in the back. Try to buckle a car seat. See how easy it is to get in and out. The difference isn’t subtle. You’ll know right away which one feels like home.