If you’ve ever shopped for a pickup truck, you’ve probably noticed a confusing mix of cab names: SuperCab, King Cab, Double Cab, Quad Cab, Crew Cab, and Mega Cab. While the branding varies by manufacturer, pickup truck cabs actually fall into just a few core size families, each with clear trade-offs between passenger space, bed length, and everyday usability.
Understanding those differences makes it much easier to choose a truck that fits how you’ll really use it — whether that’s for work, family, or a mix of both.
The four core pickup truck cab types
Regular cab (Standard cab)
A regular cab is the smallest configuration. It has two full-size front doors and a single row of seats, usually for two or three passengers.
There’s little to no usable space behind the seats, aside from shallow storage, but the big advantage is the bed's length. Regular cabs are often paired with the longest beds available — commonly eight feet on full-size trucks — because there’s no second row taking up the wheelbase.
This configuration is most common on fleet and work trucks, where hauling capacity and maneuverability matter more than passenger space.
Extended cab (SuperCab, King Cab, Quad Cab)
Extended cabs sit in the middle size-wise. They have a small rear seating area tucked behind the front seats, usually in the form of jump seats or a compact second row.
While older models often featured rear-hinged doors that required the front doors to open first, most late-model pickups now have small front-hinged rear doors for safety and convenience. Extended cabs typically seat four to five people, but the rear legroom is limited; the back seat works best for kids, short trips, or occasional passengers.
A primary advantage is balance; Extended cabs often offer longer beds than Crew Cabs, making them a popular compromise for people who want both rear seating and a more usable cargo bed.
“The in-betweener” (Double Cab)
While some brands use this name interchangeably with "extended," for manufacturers like Chevrolet and GMC, the Double Cab is a distinct mid-size category.
It features four front-hinged doors and more legroom than a traditional extended cab, but it remains tighter than a full Crew Cab. This size is a "sweet spot" configuration for those who need to carry a crew or small family but still want a standard-length bed without the massive footprint of a larger truck.
Full four-door (Crew Cab, SuperCrew, CrewMax)
A Crew Cab is the largest and most passenger-friendly option. It has four full-size, front-hinged doors and a true second row with real legroom. On Ford's best-selling F-150, this is branded as the SuperCrew, while Toyota calls it the CrewMax.
These can accommodate up to six adults comfortably and are designed for families and work crews. On "Half-Ton" (1500) trucks, the trade-off is often bed length, as they are usually paired with short beds to keep the pickup manageable.
However, on Heavy-Duty (2500/3500) trucks, you can frequently find the "Crew Cab Long Bed" configuration, which provides both a massive interior and a full 8-foot cargo box.
Extended Crew and Mega Cabs
Some manufacturers stretch the Crew Cab even further. The RAM Mega Cab describes a truck with extra space behind the rear seat. Unlike standard Crew Cabs, the Mega Cab features unique reclining rear seats, making it the "limousine" of the truck world.
These trucks still have four full doors and can seat up to six, but they prioritize interior luxury and rear storage over bed length, typically coming with a shorter bed to offset the extra cab length.
Which cab fits your life best?
For single drivers: An extended or Double Cab is often the sweet spot. It provides interior storage and occasional rear seating without the cost or weight of a Crew Cab. However, if you want the longest bed at the lowest price, a regular cab is the better choice.
For couples: Double Cabs are ideal if it’s usually just two adults, but you still want bed space for bikes, projects, or gear. Crew Cabs make sense if road trips, large pets, or future family use are part of the plan.
For families: A Crew Cab (or SuperCrew) is almost always the answer. Both have four full-size doors, ample rear legroom, and are the most kid- and car-seat friendly.
For working professionals: The decision depends on crew size. Solo tradespeople often prefer regular cabs for maximum payload. Contractors who regularly move a team of adults benefit from Crew Cabs; if they also need to haul long materials, they should look toward the heavy-duty segment for the Crew Cab/long bed combo.
Thinking about picking up a pickup?
Once you’ve chosen between a regular or extended cab, your next decision should be to get pre-qualified for auto financing through the Credit Acceptance website. We work with our 15,000 dealers nationwide and can share a list of those nearest you, along with the monthly payment you may qualify for. This knowledge can help determine just how much truck you can get.