Bench Seat or Bucket Seats?

Has anyone owned both a front bench seat 2nd gen and a bucket seat 2nd gen? I've been holding out on getting a new Tundra, but my 2006 is showing its age (230k) and can't tow our trailer (safely). Prices are ridiculous and inventory is still sparse even with the 3rd gens out so it's hard to be picky right now. We are a family of 5 so a crewmax is necessary, but I'm stuck on getting a higher trim and only having 5 seats or a SR5 and the front bench so a friend/my niece can fit in the truck. Is the bench comfortable? I love having leather with kids, so covers would be necessary if I end up with cloth. I tried looking over features between the trim levels, but is there anything blaring (game changer) I would be missing out on by going with the SR5? I never use my seat heaters in my Limited now and usually keep sunroofs closed anyways. The 38 gallon tank would be nice in the Limiteds up as I'm not sure if you can add an aftermarket one in CA.

 

The Bench is just the same seats anyway but with a weird little flip seat in the middle instead if the console and a column shift to go with it.
Exactly the same buckets otherwise!

 

I specifically sought out a tundra based (among other things) on whether it had a bench or bucket seats. I like the captain chair feeling of the bucket fronts so I was lucky to pick up a trail with that option. I will say, however, that in more than one situation, I needed that sixth seat, and had to have family pack in the backseat. So, pick your poison, I guess lol

 

If you can find a bench get it. You can always put in a console later but you can't go the other way. I love my bench seat.

 

The seats themselves are all buckets!

 

The center console was what I wanted. Having the personal area was important for me haha

 

Had a 2017 with the bench for a year, liked it, but got a great trade deal on a 21 and took it only to find out i have another little one on the way which brings me up to 4 kids, now im wishing i had the bench seat to fit everyone.

 

Thanks for the replies! Didn’t realize it was buckets with a middle portion, just imagined the older uniform seat that used to come with trucks. They are hard to find so can’t really check them out/test beforehand. I think I’ll be happier with the 6th seat as we always are taking a friend and the truck will be used for towing our trailer, so having a friend along for the oldest will be inevitable. Our other option is the wife’s Highlander which is a great suv but just too small once we pack up for a trip.

Now to find a truck in a decent price range…I love this truck but $$$. https://www.jordanmotorsport.com/ve...ervice-truck-20cfe13a05a08c4cb1873550e7aabb38

 

Something to keep in mind, with 6 people in the truck you're going to chew through your payload rating. If you're OK towing your camper and 6 people while over payload, that's your call. Only mentioning it in case you weren't aware.

 

Definitely something to think about, thanks for mentioning. Luckily my kids weigh 140 pounds combined right now so I should be good for a while.