Intermediate doors, or walk-through cabs, offer the option of extending the cargo space from the truck bed into the vehicle. While a useful feature, midgates have only been available on a few unique trucks over the years. In fact, many modern trucks don’t come with them. Here’s a look at seven trucks (past, present, and future) that did, will, or will come with midgates, though.
What is a midgate/pass-through booth?
Most trucks have a permanent barrier between the cab and the bed of the truck. However, the panel between the bed of the truck and the rear seat can be removed for trucks with intermediate doors. Additionally, the second row seats can be folded down to provide additional cargo space in the cabin. As for the seven trucks that have, had or will have this feature, the following are found:
1. chevy avalanche
Produced from 2001 to 2013, the Chevrolet Avalanche was one of the first production 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 middle hatch.
Engine options for the truck were a 285-hp 5.3 L V8 and a 340-hp 8.1 L V8. Buyers also had a choice of RWD or AWD. Although the Avalanche was redesigned for the 2007 model year, there were no significant changes to the truck’s platform, and the center hatch remains a prominent feature.
2. Cadillac Escalade EXT
Like the Chevy Avalanche, the Cadillac Escalade EXT was part of Cadillac’s lineup from 2001 to 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 345-hp 6.0L V8.
3. subaru low
As for the Subaru Baja, it was based on one of the automaker’s most popular nameplates, the Subaru Outback. It came with a 3.5 foot long truck bed that could be extended an additional 2.5 feet by dropping the middle door. Perhaps too unique for the market, the Baja only lasted from 2003-2006.
Four. 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 to reveal an open bed. It also came with a middle door that extended available cargo space from 3.7 feet in length to just over 6 feet. According to self evolutionit was dropped after the 2005 model year.
5. Hummer H2 SUT
Another midgate offering from GMC was the Hummer H2 SUT pickup. 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 lowering the middle door and folding down the second row seats.
It is also the third longest-running production pickup model with a mid-door after the Cadillac Escalade EXT and Chevrolet Avalanche. It was available between 2005 and 2009.
6. 2024 Chevy Silverado electric
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV is expected to be the first electric pickup with a middle door. The truck’s default configuration offers a 5-foot, 11-inch bed that can be expanded to 9 feet by dropping the center door.
According to GM authoritythe EV pickup will be based on General Motors’ Ultium platform with electronic four-wheel drive and an estimated range of 400 miles.
7. Bollingers B2
The Chevy Silverado may have had some competition in the middle-door EV truck section from the Bollinger B2, but it wasn’t meant to be. The transfer storage of the concept extended to the frunk. As such, it would have been able to carry cargo up to 20 feet long. However, the manufacturer has since scrapped production plans for the truck, even refunding buyers’ deposits.