2
0
Midsize SUV; Built in USA
  • 4-door wagon
  • longitudinal front-engine/rear- or all-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,200 – $1,900*


1991 Oldsmobile Bravada


1994 Oldsmobile Bravada


1994 Oldsmobile Bravada


1992 Oldsmobile Bravada dashboard


1993 Oldsmobile Bravada cargo area

Pros:
  • Acceleration
  • Antilock brakes (optional)
  • Wet-weather traction
  • Passenger and cargo room
Cons:
  • Engine noise
  • Fuel economy

This version of the Bravada also fails to provide a driver-side airbag, standard on some competing models. However, the Bravada is a competent and comfortable luxury 4×4 that deserves serious consideration.

Overview

Olds joined the sport-utility market in 1991, launching a new 4-door entry called Bravada. Essentially a Chevrolet S10-Blazer wearing a tuxedo, Bravada came equipped with GM’s full-time 4WD system, known as “Smart Trak.” However, the Bravada was not being touted as an off-road vehicle, so no off-road suspension package was offered. Under the hood sat a 160-horsepower 4.3-liter V6, paired with a 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. Four-wheel antilock brakes were standard, as were leather upholstery and a host of power accessories.

Yearly Updates

1992 Bravada
Added for 1992 is a new High Performance 4.3-liter V6 that delivers 200 horsepower. Also, the standard “hockey stick” speedometer carried over from the Chevy Blazer is replaced with a more subtle unit with a regular needle and a 180-degree sweep.
1993 Bravada
The standard 4-speed automatic transmission gains electronic shift controls. There’s also a new Gold Package option that provides gold-and-black alloy wheels and gold-tinted nameplates for the Bravada. Inside, a new overhead console includes outside-temperature and compass readouts.
1994 Bravada
A new Special Edition Bravada includes gold exterior trim and all-season tires. Other changes to the Bravada include the addition of new guard beams inside all four doors and a new center high-mount stoplight.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear- or all-wheel drive

Oldsmobile’s first entry in the sport utility market, a dressier version of the Chevy Blazer, arrived in 1991 with Chevrolet’s 4.3-liter V6. Initially it provided 160 horsepower at 4000 rpm and 230 pound-feet of torque at 2800 rpm. A year later, Oldsmobile added a more potent version of the engine, now delivering 200 horsepower at 4500 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 3600 rpm. The addition of electronic controls for the 4-speed automatic completed the powertrain changes for the Bravada.

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 4.3/262
Engine HP 160
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 230
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 17/22

 18.2
ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 4.3/262
Engine HP 200
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 260
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 16/21

Road Test

Bravada’s 200-horsepower V6 delivers ample power, although the engine fan is a bit loud on acceleration. Automatic transmissions are one thing GM does very well, so it comes as no surprise that there’s an unobtrusive, smooth-shifting automatic transmission paired with the Bravada’s 4.3-liter V6. However, the engine is not particularly fuel efficient, averaging only 15 mpg in actual, real-world city driving.

While suspension upgrades in 1994 were designed to take the trucklike feel out of this rebadged Chevy Blazer, ride quality is still not equal to that provided in the Grand Cherokee. Bravada’s suspension allows too much bouncing on wavy roads and doesn’t do a good job of absorbing bumps and ruts.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1993 Oldsmobile Bravada

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 3
30%
Ride Quality - 4
40%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 3
30%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 4
40%
Room/Comfort Front - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 4
40%

Other

Value - 5
50%

Total: 41

Specifications

4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
107.0 178.9 65.2 65.6
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
74.3 20.0 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.1 38.8 42.5 36.5
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1994 Bravada 4-door wagon

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 3
60%
Front Passenger Injury - 2
40%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 105
Injury 83
Theft 253

Trouble Spots

Automatic transmission
Description: TH-700-R4 automatic transmissions may shift late or not upshift at all. The problem is a stuck throttle valve inside the transmission. (1991-93)
Engine knock
Description: Engine knock is usually eliminated by using an oil filter with a check valve. If this does not work, GM has revised PROMs for the computers. (1991-92)
Exhaust system
Description: The exhaust valves may not get enough lubrication, causing a variety of noises. Usually, the same engine consumes excess oil because the valve-guide seals on the exhaust valves are bad. (1996)

Recall History

1991
Description: Rear-seatbelt buckle release button can stick in unlatched position under certain conditions.
1994
Description: Solder joints can crack, causing windshield wipers to work intermittently.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 23, 2014.
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