Used sedans with a middle FRONT seat? Any modern options?

[Chris Meutsch]

Greetings all.
What say you, BITOG, about decent used sedans that still have a middle FRONT seat that can be used for whatever? Not necessarily an adult and certainly not a kid, but an open space without a middle console that can hold whatever is needed, right on the seat?

Thx.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

The 9th generation Impala was the last car avaiable in the US market with a front bench seat. Other than that it would be Crown Vic / Grand Marquis / Towncar.

Everything else has tried to be "sporty" with a console shift for the last 20 years/

For what it's worth I love the front bench on my grand marquis

 

[Andrew1972]

For some 2006 is modern which was last year of 2006 Buick LaCrosse that had 6 passenger capabilties. That was newest thing you can buy.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

2005 was the last year the Avalon was available with a front bench. The Chevy Impala had the option until 2011. If you're lucky, you can find a 2011 V8 Impala SS with the front bench

 

[wag123]

For some 2006 is modern which was last year of 2006 Buick LaCrosse that had 6 passenger capabilties. That was newest thing you can buy.

Negative. They were available in the Lucerne and Cadillac DTS through 2011, and in the Impala through 2013. Ford offered them in the Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car through 2011. Actually finding one equipped with a bench seat will be another matter.

 

[dareo]

They still make em but the trunk is no longer enclosed from the factory:

 

[wag123]

They still make em but the trunk is no longer enclosed from the factory:

A front bench seat is still available on base models of the Tahoe, Suburban, and Yukon. Since they are/were an up-charge option, finding one with a bench front seat will be even more difficult.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Keep them coming!! Thx.

 

[DweezilAZ]

I have developed a hatred for this super sized console trend. I would pay extra to have a "console delete" option.

It used to be a selling feature having a flat front floor and roomy open interiors. Small console okay. Obscene piece of luggage or ice chest sized BS is an obscene waste of space.

That said, with the production numbers of that Impala [or Crown Victoria] mentioned perhaps the chances of finding a three across front bench are likely higher with those two than with the others mentioned [ add in attrition over the years, etc ].

A real shame what's been done with visibility, room, and overall capability in sedans. It's no wonder CUVs are such hot sellers.

 

[01rangerxl]

If you're lucky, you can find a 2011 V8 Impala SS with the front bench

Do you know if any were built that way? That would be the coolest car ever built on that platform if so. Every SS I have seen had a console shifter.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Do you know if any were built that way? That would be the coolest car ever built on that platform if so. Every SS I have seen had a console shifter.

Honestly, I don't know, but I hope there are more than zero made that way

 

[K.Aoi]

I have developed a hatred for this super sized console trend. I would pay extra to have a "console delete" option.

It used to be a selling feature having a flat front floor and roomy open interiors. Small console okay. Obscene piece of luggage or ice chest sized BS is an obscene waste of space.

That said, with the production numbers of that Impala [or Crown Victoria] mentioned perhaps the chances of finding a three across front bench are likely higher with those two than with the others mentioned [ add in attrition over the years, etc ].

A real shame what's been done with visibility, room, and overall capability in sedans. It's no wonder CUVs are such hot sellers.

CUVs aren't that much different interior-wirse than sedans though, when it comes to center consoles. You're pining for the bad old days when cars had almost no interior storage apart from the glovebox, that's what "flat floors" get you. People want places to put stuff nowadays, things like cupholders and places to charge phones.

 

[Blinker]

Define modern.

The newest sedan you can buy with a bench seat is a 2016 Chevy Impala Limited. These were fleet only cars. I do recall seeing a 2015 Impala Limited at one of the rental agencies years ago with a bench seat. By 2016 most rental agencies no longer bought the Impala Limited in large numbers.

 

[Blinker]

2005 was the last year the Avalon was available with a front bench. The Chevy Impala had the option until 2011. If you're lucky, you can find a 2011 V8 Impala SS with the front bench

Actually fleet buyers could purchase the Impala and then renamed Impala Limited with a bench seat thru MY16

Unless you were a large fleet buyer or had some pull with GM and could request custom order options, I don’t think you will see any FWD SS Impala’s with a bench seat, unless someone installed one after the vehicle was built.

 

[Blinker]

CUVs aren't that much different interior-wirse than sedans though, when it comes to center consoles. You're pining for the bad old days when cars had almost no interior storage apart from the glovebox, that's what "flat floors" get you. People want places to put stuff nowadays, things like cupholders and places to charge phones.

What are you talking about? People have always wanted more cubby and storage space in vehicles. The manufacturers have just been too cheap to do so. Storage space has been a vehicle selling point for as long as I can remember. Spare tire placement being one of the most evolutionary.