The Oldsmobile Bravada is a SUV that was sold by Oldsmobile from 1991 to 2004. The only SUV ever marketed by Oldsmobile, the Bravada was the first light truck offered by General Motors outside of the Chevrolet and GMC divisions since 1924.[1][2] The flagship of the GM midsize SUV line, the Bravada served as the most luxurious GM SUV prior to the introduction of the GMC Yukon Denali and Cadillac Escalade.
The first two generations of the Bravada were derived from the Chevrolet (S-10) Blazer and GMC Jimmy, offered solely as a five-door wagon. The third generation of the model line adopted a dedicated SUV platform, shared with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy. Coinciding with the 2004 retirement of the Oldsmobile brand, GM rebranded the Bravada from 2005 to 2009 as the Buick Rainier and the Saab 9-7X (becoming the first SUV for both brands).
For 1991, Oldsmobile introduced the Bravada as its first-ever sport-utility vehicle. Launched alongside the newly introduced four-door version of the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer, the Bravada was the first Oldsmobile truck-based vehicle since the 1920s. In contrast to its divisional counterparts, the Bravada was sold only as a four-door SUV; no two-door body nor any pickup truck version was produced. The first generation was sold exclusively in the United States.
The first luxury SUV produced by GM, the Bravada was designed with its a distinctive exterior separate from its divisional counterparts. In contrast to the larger Jeep Grand Wagoneer (discontinued after 1991), the Bravada was not fitted with wagon-style woodgrain exterior trim; instead, the body adopted a nearly monochromatic appearance with lower body cladding (similar to the GMC Typhoon). A body-color headlight surround was styled with a traditional Oldsmobile split grille; aluminum wheels were standard equipment. Other standard features included standard remote keyless entry, anti-lock brakes (ABS), and the use of SmartTrak all-wheel drive.
As with its Chevrolet/GMC counterpart, the Bravada was fitted with a standard 4.3L V6; for 1992, its output was increased from 160 hp to 200 hp. In contrast to the part-time four-wheel drive system of the Blazer/Jimmy, the Bravada was fitted with SmartTrak full-time all-wheel drive. Shared with the GMC Typhoon and the AWD Astro/Safari vans, SmartTrak used a Borg Warner 4472 transfer case; though forgoing low-range gearing, the system offered a 65%/35% rear/front torque split, shifting it when the system detected slippage.
During its production, the first-generation Bravada underwent minor detail changes. For 1992, the instrument panel was revised to further distinguish itself from the Blazer/Jimmy. For 1993, an overhead console was added (including a compass, temperature, and reading lights). As an option, a Gold package featured gold-colored badging and wheels.
Rear view of Oldsmobile Bravada
Engines
1991 – 4.3 L LB4V6, TBI, 160 hp (119 kW)/230 lb·ft (312 N·m) (VIN Z)
The first generation Bravada with the 160 hp engine averaged United States Environmental Protection Agency city/highway 17 miles per US gallon (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg‑imp)/22 miles per US gallon (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg‑imp).
1996–97: 180.9 in (4,595 mm) 1998–2001: 183.7 in (4,666 mm)
Width
1996–97: 66.5 in (1,689 mm) 1998–99: 67.6 in (1,717 mm) 2000–01: 67.8 in (1,722 mm)
Height
1996–99: 63.2 in (1,605 mm) 2000–01: 64.4 in (1,636 mm)
After skipping the 1995 model year, Oldsmobile released its second-generation Bravada for 1996. Again sharing a body with the Chevrolet Blazer/GMC Jimmy, the Bravada was again produced only in a four-door body configuration. Distinguished by its lower bodyside trim (matching the bumpers) and the split front grille, the Bravada was fitted with six-spoke aluminum wheels (in line with the Aurora).
Though sharing a dashboard with its counterparts (with drivers' airbag), the Bravada was fitted with woodgrain trim, leather seats and interior trim (styled similar to the Aurora), and a console-mounted transmission shifter (becoming a special-edition option on the Blazer in 1999).
Retuned to 190hp, the 4.3L V6 was again the standard engine, again fitted with the SmartTrak all-wheel drive system. For 1997, 4-wheel disc brakes (with ABS) became standard; the rear spoiler was deleted.
Oldsmobile Bravada rear
1998
1998–2001 Bravada
For 1998, the second-generation Bravada underwent a mid-cycle facelift. Along with redesigned bumpers and lower body trim, the front fascia was redesigned with a larger grille, replacing the Oldsmobile "Delta Rocket" emblem with the new "Rocket O" emblem. The interior was revised, adopting heated seats and a dual-airbag dashboard. The SmartTrak system underwent a redesign, adopting the computer controlled NP-136 transfer case. In the interest of fuel economy, the system operated as rear-wheel drive in normal operations, sending torque to the front wheels only when detecting wheel slip.
For 1999, OnStar was introduced as a cellular-phone unit; in 2001, the system was integrated into the rearview mirror with available features like hands-free calling and virtual advisor. A Bose sound system also became an available option for 1999.
For 2000, a two-tone exterior option was introduced for the first time (named the Platinum Edition).
Engines
1996–2001 - 4.3 L L35 Vortec 4300V6, SCPI, 190 hp (142 kW) with single exhaust
Fuel economy
The second generation Bravada EPA city/highway averaged 16 miles per US gallon (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg‑imp)/21 miles per US gallon (11 L/100 km; 25 mpg‑imp).
In February 2001, Oldsmobile launched the third-generation 2002 Bravada.[4] The launch model of the all-new mid-size GMT360 architecture, the 2002 Bravada was now a counterpart of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy. In contrast to the first two generations, the GMT360 Bravada was fitted with a distinct body (sharing only the doors with the GMC Envoy). Styled similar to the Oldsmobile Aurora and Alero, the Bravada was fitted with a rounded front fascia, integrating the grilles into the bumpers and headlamp clusters.
Alongside the previous all-wheel drive configuration, a rear-wheel drive layout became standard for the first time (the first rear-wheel drive Oldsmobile since the 1992 Custom Cruiser). The 4.3L V6 was discontinued in favor of a 270hp 4.2L Atlas inline-6 (the first Oldsmobile since the 1976 Omega to offer an inline-6); in contrast to its GMT360 counterparts, no V8 engine was offered as an option.
The GMT360 Bravada coincided with the phaseout of the Oldsmobile division, lasting only three model years. For 2004, the last 500 examples were produced as Final 500 Special Editions; each example featured custom seat embroidering and exterior badging inspired by vintage Oldsmobile logos, dark cherry metallic paint, unique chrome alloy wheels, and a medallion featuring each the production number of the vehicle (1 to 500). On January 12, 2004, the final Oldsmobile Bravada rolled off the assembly line.[5]
Though GM discontinued the Oldsmobile Bravada, its body lived on as two different vehicles: the Buick Rainier (2004-2007) served as its direct replacement with the flagship Saab 9-7X (2005-2009) also using its bodyshell.
An example of a 2004 "Final 500" model.Rear view
Engines
2002–2004 LL8 4.2 L (254 cu in) I6, 270 hp (201 kW)
Fuel economy
The third generation Bravada EPA city/highway averaged 15 miles per US gallon (16 L/100 km; 18 mpg‑imp)/21 miles per US gallon (11 L/100 km; 25 mpg‑imp).
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