

As you shop for a new Chevrolet Silverado in Victorville, California, you'll need to consider the cab configuration that will suit you best. The Regular Cab is the basic two-door version of this popular Chevy truck, but this cab option doesn't offer rear seating or interior storage. Many people prefer an Extended Cab or Crew Cab for their Silverado truck because it has more room for passengers and cargo. In this guide, you'll discover the differences between the Crew Cab vs. Extended Cab, which can help you choose the one that's right for you and your busy lifestyle.
The Basics of Cab Types
You can select one of three cab types for your Chevrolet Silverado truck. But if you want seating for more than two or three adults, go with either the Extended or Crew Cab versions. These larger cabins provide more seating and rear doors that make access to the back seat a breeze. Keep in mind that the cab size you choose will affect the bed length and towing capacity of your truck.
Seating Capacity and Passenger Comfort
One of the driving factors in your decision is the seating capacity and comfort. Both the Extended Cab and Crew Cab seat five or six passengers. You can opt for bucket seats up front, allowing five people to fit inside your Silverado. For maximum seating capacity, you'll want a bench seat in the front as well as the rear. This setup lets you fit up to six passengers in your truck.
Regardless of the cab you select, you'll enjoy 43 inches of front headroom, 44.5 inches of front legroom, and 66 inches of front shoulder room. The rear seats offer 40.1 inches of headroom, 43.4 inches of legroom, and 64 inches of shoulder room if you go with the Crew Cab. The Extended Cab has slightly less rear seat space at 39.9 inches of headroom, 35.2 inches of legroom, and 64.9 inches of shoulder room, which could be tight for three full-grown adults.
Interior Storage and Cargo Space
Storage and cargo space are also significant deciding factors when choosing the right cab for your Chevrolet Silverado. With an Extended Cab or Crew Cab, you'll have interior storage space to keep your cargo out of the elements. Going with a bench seat up front means you get under-seat storage space and a fold-down armrest with drink holders. The rear bench seat also has under-seat storage that spans the length of the truck. The Crew Cab provides the most interior space, but you'll find convenient storage compartments in either cab.
For more storage and cargo space options, you can choose upgrades, packages, and higher trim levels. For instance, some models offer a lockable safe in the center console. This gives you a secure area to store personal items. Seat back storage compartments are available as well to help you keep your truck organized, and pockets in the doors provide a spot to store items you want to keep at hand.
Towing and Payload Capabilities
The towing and payload capacities will vary depending on several factors. Your truck's engine plays a big part in what you can tow and carry, but the cab and bed size are also factors. Silverado trucks with four-wheel drive (4WD) have a slightly lower towing capacity than those without, but it's usually within a few hundred pounds. It's important to always consult your owner's manual for the exact trailering specs for your truck, as its upgrades, passenger weight, and other variables can affect the towing capacity.
You'll have the best towing capacity if you add the Max Trailering Package to your Silverado. The maximum tow rating comes with the Duramax 3.0-liter I-6 engine and either the Extended or Crew Cab. With the Duramax engine, the Silverado can tow up to 13,300 pounds when you have two-wheel drive (2WD). On the low end, the Silverado ZR2 can still tow 8,700 pounds, even with its upgrades. Your payload capacity rating will vary depending on the size of the bed and other configurations, but the truck's top payload capacity is 2,260 pounds.
Fuel Efficiency and Driving Dynamics
While fuel efficiency may not be your top priority when selecting the right truck, it's likely still on your mind. Like payload and towing capacities, the cab you choose will affect your gas mileage and the truck's driving dynamics, whether you're cruising through Victorville or taking a longer trip. The larger the cab size, the less aerodynamic your truck is. So, if you choose the Crew Cab, your fuel economy may go down compared to the Extended Cab. However, the difference won't be significant and might not sway your decision too much.
The engine size is the biggest determining factor in your Silverado's fuel efficiency and its driving dynamics. A heavier truck with a big cab and large engine is less efficient than a smaller truck with a lighter engine. Here are the fuel economy ratings for the Silverado based on the engine type:
- 3.0-liter I-6 (2WD): 23 mpg city/29 mpg highway
- 3.0-liter I-6 (4WD): 22 mpg city/25 mpg highway
- 2.7-liter I-4 (2WD): 18 mpg city/21 mpg highway
- 2.7-liter I-4 (4WD): 17 mpg city/20 mpg highway
- 5.3-liter V-8 (2WD): 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway
- 5.3-liter V-8 (4WD): 16 mpg city/19 mpg highway
- 6.2-liter V-8 (4WD): 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway
Test-Drive the Chevrolet Silverado at Victorville Chevrolet
You can test-drive the Chevrolet Silverado at Victorville Chevrolet. We carry a range of Silverado trucks in various configurations so you can build the truck of your dreams. Contact us today or check out our inventory page to find your next truck. Then, stop by our dealership and take the Chevrolet you choose for a spin to see if the cab size is right for you.