The Exclusive Chevrolet Tahoe Front Bench Seat: A Rare 9-Seater Option
Finding a family vehicle that can carry nine people is almost impossible today without buying a commercial van. However, the Chevrolet Tahoe Front Bench Seat is the secret solution for large families. While most modern SUVs are designed for seven or eight passengers, Chevrolet has quietly kept this old-school feature alive for the 2026 model year, making it one of the most versatile vehicles on the market.
Why the Chevrolet Tahoe Front Bench Seat is Unique
In the past, bench seats were common in almost every car. Today, they are usually found only in pickup trucks like the Silverado or Ford F-150. Most SUV manufacturers have replaced the front middle seat with a large center console for storage and cupholders.
The Chevrolet Tahoe Front Bench Seat breaks this trend. By selecting this option, you transform the front row into a three-seat arrangement. When you combine this with the second and third rows, the total capacity of the vehicle increases to nine people. This makes the Tahoe (and its bigger brother, the Suburban) the only vehicle in its class to offer this specific layout.
How the Seating Configuration Works
It is important to note that this is not exactly like the flat bench seats from the 1980s. The modern version is much more sophisticated.
The design is actually a 40:20:40 split. This means the driver and the passenger still have individual bucket-style seats. The “bench” part is a smaller center seat that fills the gap between them. When no one is sitting in the middle, the seat back folds down to function as a center console with storage and cupholders.
Here is a quick comparison of vehicles that offer similar seating solutions:
Availability and Pricing
If you want the Chevrolet Tahoe Front Bench Seat, you have to look carefully. It is not available on the luxury High Country or Premier trims. You can only find this option on the base LS trim level.
Interestingly, choosing this option can actually save you money. In some configurations, opting for the bench seat credits you about $250 because you are deleting the expensive center console. However, finding one in stock at a dealership might be difficult, as most dealers order the standard 8-seat configuration. You may need to custom order your vehicle to get this specific layout.
For buyers who need maximum passenger space without switching to a minivan or a commercial bus, this classic feature remains the best choice on the road.
Also Read – Base Trim Vehicles Surge – Why Shoppers Are Loving Affordable Cars Again
