2021 CHEVY TAHOE, SUBURBAN & GMC YUKON STILL OFFER A FRONT MIDDLE SEAT

The coolest option you can put on the all new 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, and GMC Yukon might not be at the top of the trim lineup, or a performance part, but rather only available on the base level models. That’s because the new lineup of GM SUVs can still be optioned with a front middle seat, as noticed by The Drive. While its three separate pieces may not officially make it a bench seat, and while it doesn’t sound that exciting on the offset, the front row middle bench seat is quickly becoming rare on modern vehicles.

Base level pickups, including the all-new 2021 Ford F-150, are sure to offer a bench seat, but it’s rarer in more family oriented SUVs. In the past, the bench seat was a mainstay of family transportation, but as the industry moves more towards slapping premium to everything they make, it’s becoming uncommon. In fact, none of the 2021 Chevy Tahoe, Suburban and GMC Yukon competitors offer a front bench seat, which includes the older Ford Expedition, as well as the Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada. It’s surprising that the newest of the bunch offers this rather antiquated feature. The only other new vehicle we could find with a front bench seat other than base level pickups is the new Land Rover Defender, but it’s in a much different class than the 2021 GM SUVs.

Although these SUVs offer three seats up front, you probably won’t see it too often on dealer lots. the 2021 GM SUVs come standard with the usual front bucket seats and center console, and the front bench seat is a $250 option across the board on the configurator. If you want this option, chances are you’ll have to special order it. If the bench seat is for you, it has 40/20/40 folding and movement, and the middle seat has cupholders and storage slots on the back for when not in use.

If you have fond memories of fitting three people across the front of your family hauler, it looks like GM is your solution. The 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban offer the front bench seat only on the LS trim, while the 2021 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL offer it only on the equivalent SLE trim. There’s no way to seat 9 people in your Denali, unfortunately.