7 Pickup Trucks With Midgates or ‘Pass-Through Cabins
Midgates, or pass-through cabins, offer the option of extending the cargo space of the truck bed into the vehicle’s interior. Although a helpful feature, midgates have only been available in a few unique trucks over the years. In fact, many modern trucks don’t come with them. Nevertheless, here’s a look at seven pickup trucks (past, present, and upcoming) that came, come, or will come with midgates.
What’s a midgate/pass-through cabin?
Most pickup trucks have a permanent barrier between the cabin and the truck bed. However, the panel between the truck bed and rear seat is removable for trucks with midgates. Also, the second-row seats can be folded out of the way, allowing extra cargo space in the cabin. As for the seven pickup trucks that have, had, or will have this feature, they include the following:
1. Chevy Avalanche
Produced between 2001 and 2013, the Chevrolet Avalanche was one of the first production pickup trucks to sport a midgate. Its original configuration consisted of a 5.3-foot-long bed that could be extended to over 8 feet by lowering the midgate.
Engine options for the truck were a 285-hp 5.3L V8 and a 340-hp 8.1L V8. Buyers also had the option of RWD or AWD. While the Avalanche was restyled for the 2007 model year, there were no significant changes to the truck bed, with the midgate still a prominent feature.
2. Cadillac Escalade EXT
Like the Chevy Avalanche, the Cadillac Escalade EXT was part of Cadillac’s lineup between 2001 and 2013. It shared interior features with the Cadillac Escalade SUV. However, where buyers of the SUV could choose between a 285-hp engine and a 345-hp alternative, the Escalade EXT only came with a 6.0L 345-hp V8.
3. Subaru Baja
As for the Subaru Baja, it was based on one of the automaker’s more popular nameplates, the Subaru Outback. It came with a 3.5-foot-long truck bed that could be extended by an additional 2.5 feet by dropping the midgate. Perhaps too unique for the market, the Baja only lasted between 2003 and 2006.
4. GMC Envoy XUV
The GMC Envoy XUV was an SUV that could be converted into a pickup truck by sliding the rear roof panel and rear window out of the way to expose an open bed. It also came with a midgate extending the available 3.7-foot-long cargo space to slightly over 6 feet. According to AutoEvolution, it was killed off after the 2005 model year.
5. Hummer H2 SUT
Another GMC offering with a midgate was the Hummer H2 SUT truck. The truck bed for this model was one of the smallest available, at just 2.9 feet. However, this could be increased to 6 feet by dropping the midgate and folding the second-row seats.
It’s also the third-longest-running production truck model with a midgate after the Cadillac Escalade EXT and Chevrolet Avalanche. It was available between 2005 and 2009.
6. 2024 Chevy Silverado EV
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV is expected to be the first electric pickup truck with a midgate. The truck’s default configuration offers a 5-foot 11-inch bed that can be expanded to 9 feet by dropping the mid-gate.
According to GM Authority, the EV truck will be based on General Motors’ Ultium Platform with electronic four-wheel drive and an estimated 400-mile range.
7. Bollinger B2
The Chevy Silverado may have had some competition in the EV trucks with midgates section from the Bollinger B2, but it wasn’t meant to be. The concept’s pass-through storage extended all the way to the frunk. As such, it would have been able to ferry up to 20-foot-long cargo. However, the manufacturer has since scrapped the truck’s production plans, even refunding buyers’ deposits.
