What design feature is characterized by having doors placed in front of the axle?

The cab forward design is characterized by having the passenger compartment, or cab, positioned forward over or even ahead of the front axle. This design feature enhances visibility for the driver and allows for a shorter engine compartment, which can improve maneuverability. By positioning the doors in front of the axle, the overall vehicle length can be reduced while maximizing cabin space, effectively using available space more efficiently.

In contrast, the rearward design typically implies that the cab is situated behind the front axle, which can limit visibility and not maximize the interior space as effectively. The side access design primarily refers to the arrangement and access of entry points but does not specifically categorize how the cab relates to the axle. The standard forward design usually denotes the more traditional layout where the cab is positioned in front of the engine but not specifically in front of the axle, which is not how a cab forward design is defined. Thus, the cab forward design stands out as the best descriptor for the placement of doors in relation to the front axle.