The Oldsmobile Bravada was a mid-size luxury SUV sold from 1991 to 2004 and the only SUV Oldsmobile ever marketed. It was the first GM light truck since 1924 offered outside the Chevrolet and GMC brands, and for all of its production it was built at Moraine, Ohio.
Oldsmobile Bravada at a glance
| Maker | Oldsmobile Division, General Motors |
|---|---|
| Production | 1991–2004 |
| Class | mid-size luxury SUV |
| Body style | five-door wagon |
| Assembly | Moraine, Ohio |
| First generation | 1991–1994, based on the S-10 Blazer |
| Second generation | 1996–2001 |
| Third generation | 2002–2004, on the GMT360 platform |
| Drive | SmartTrak all-wheel drive |
| First engine | 4.3 L V6, 160 hp, then 200 hp |
| Second-generation engine | 4.3 L V6, 190 hp |
| Successors | Buick Rainier and Saab 9-7X |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Oldsmobile Bravada.
History of the Oldsmobile Bravada
1991–1994: the first luxury SUV from GM
Oldsmobile launched the Bravada for 1991 as its first sport-utility vehicle, alongside the new four-door Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. It was sold only as a four-door, with no two-door or pickup version, and only in the United States. GM called it the first luxury SUV from the company: the body was nearly monochromatic with lower cladding, a body-colour headlight surround with the traditional Oldsmobile split grille, and aluminium wheels as standard. Remote keyless entry, anti-lock brakes and SmartTrak full-time all-wheel drive were also standard. The 4.3 L V6 made 160 hp at first and 200 hp from 1992, and SmartTrak, shared with the GMC Typhoon, used a BorgWarner 4472 transfer case with a 65/35 rear-to-front torque split and no low range.
1996–2001: the second generation
After skipping 1995, Oldsmobile returned with a second-generation Bravada for 1996, again sharing its body with the Blazer and Jimmy and again four-door only. It was distinguished by bodyside trim matching the bumpers, six-spoke aluminium wheels in the style of the Aurora, woodgrain trim, leather seats and a console-mounted shifter. The 4.3 L V6 was retuned to 190 hp and SmartTrak remained standard. Four-wheel disc brakes became standard for 1997, and the 1998 facelift brought a larger grille with the new Rocket O emblem, a dual-airbag dashboard and heated seats, plus a redesigned SmartTrak system with an NP-136 transfer case that ran as rear-wheel drive until slip was detected. OnStar arrived in 1999, a Bose sound system became optional, and a two-tone Platinum Edition appeared for 2000.
2002–2004: the last generation
The third generation launched in February 2001 for the 2002 model year as the first model on the new GMT360 platform, shared with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy. When the Oldsmobile brand ended after 2004, the Bravada lived on for four more years as the Buick Rainier and the Saab 9-7X, the first SUV for both brands.
Design and features
- SmartTrak all-wheel drive: full-time system with a 65/35 torque split and no low range.
- Luxury trim: leather, woodgrain and Aurora-style wheels in a truck-based package.
- One plant: every Bravada was built at Moraine, Ohio.
- Brand survivor: the design continued as the Buick Rainier and Saab 9-7X.
Oldsmobile Bravada versions
- First generation (1991–1994): S-10 Blazer-based, 160 then 200 hp.
- Second generation (1996–2001): 190 hp, with the 1998 facelift and OnStar.
- Platinum Edition (2000): the first two-tone Bravada.
- Third generation (2002–2004): GMT360 platform, related to the TrailBlazer.
The Bravada was one of the replacements for the full-size Custom Cruiser wagon, and it shared its luxury brief with the Aurora. More models are in the Oldsmobile collection.
Video: 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada SmartTrak start up and review
Video by Saabkyle04 on YouTube.
Sources
- Oldsmobile Bravada, English Wikipedia: generations, engines, equipment, production
