A bench seat is a full-width, continuous pad that forms a seat in vehicles, typically spanning the entire width of the interior.
Bench seats are commonly found in:
- The front row of older automobiles: These allowed for seating three passengers across the front.
- The second row of sedans: Offering a continuous seating surface for passengers in the rear.
- The third row of SUVs and minivans: These can be forward-facing or, less commonly, rear-facing, providing additional passenger capacity.
The key characteristic of a bench seat is its uninterrupted surface, contrasting with bucket seats or captain's chairs which provide individual seating positions. While less common in modern vehicles due to safety and comfort considerations, bench seats were a staple in automotive design for many years and still exist today, particularly in larger vehicles where maximum passenger capacity is desired.
