Oldsmobile Bravada
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.  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).

First generation (1991–1994)

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.

Engines
 1991 – 4.3 L LB4 V6, TBI, 160 hp (119 kW)/230 lb·ft (312 N·m) (VIN Z)
 1992–1994 – 4.3 L L35 Vortec 4300 V6, CPFI, 200 hp (149 kW) (VIN W)

Fuel economy
The first generation Bravada with the 160 hp engine averaged United States Environmental Protection Agency city/highway /.

Second generation (1996–2001)

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 , the 4.3-liter V6 was again the standard engine, still fitted with the SmartTrak all-wheel drive system as standard. For 1997, four-wheel disc brakes (with ABS) became standard; the rear spoiler was deleted.

1998

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 4300 V6, SCPI,  with single exhaust

Fuel economy
The second generation Bravada EPA city/highway averaged /.

Third generation (2002–2004)

Oldsmobile launched the third generation of the Bravada in February 2001 for the 2002 model year. Serving as the launch model of the all-new GMT360 architecture (a platform dedicated to mid-size SUVs), the Bravada was now the counterpart of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, and Isuzu Ascender. Now fitted with a distinct body (sharing only its doors with the GMC Envoy), the model line was styled in line with the Oldsmobile Aurora and Alero sedans, including a rounded front fascia and integrating the grilles into the bumpers and headlamp clusters. Reportedly, the only parts that remained from the previous generation were the automatic transmission and the transfer case on four-wheel-drive models.

The GMT360 platform brought several functional changes to the model line. A rear-wheel drive layout, with traction control, became standard for the first time (making it the first rear-wheel drive Oldsmobile since the 1992 Custom Cruiser), with all-wheel drive retained as an option. The 4.3-liter V6 was retired in favor of a , 4.2-liter Atlas inline-six (the first Oldsmobile to offer such a layout since the 1976 Omega).

In contrast to its Chevrolet, GMC, or Isuzu counterparts, the Bravada was not offered in a long-wheelbase, 7-passenger configuration, nor with a 5.3L V8 engine.

The launch of the GMT360 Bravada coincided with the retirement of the Oldsmobile division, with the vehicle ending production after only three model years. On January 12, 2004, the final Oldsmobile Bravada rolled off the assembly line. 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).

Though GM discontinued the Oldsmobile Bravada, its body lived on in 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.

Engines
 2002–2004 LL8,  I6,

Fuel economy
The third generation Bravada EPA city/highway averaged /.

Sales

References

All-wheel-drive vehicles
Bravada
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
Mid-size sport utility vehicles
Cars introduced in 1991 
Cars discontinued in 2004 
1990s cars
2000s cars