Just when we all figured the automotive marketplace was glutted with every size, shape, and configuration of sport utility vehicles imaginable, along came Oldsmobile with one more. But before you dismiss the Bravada as one more of the same old thing, take another look. In truth, Oldsmobile’s new sport-ute turned out to be a purposeful entry with a meaningful place in the scheme of things.
Despite the fact that it was derived from two of the most truck-like sport-utilities in existence–GM’s S10 Blazer and S15 Jimmy, the Bravada felt cut from an entirely different grade of cloth. Its mission in life was to serve growing segments of suburbia who wanted an SUV that was more car than truck, with increasingly high levels of luxury, comfort, and convenience. It’s a task that Bravada was especially suited to handle.
To this end, the Bravada shunned the traditional four-wheel-drive chassis with two speed transfer case and Li’l Bigfoot tires in favor of full-time all-wheel-drive and relatively skinny street radials. Eliminating the stump-puller gearing and the mud monster rubber no doubt seemed sacrilegious to off-road devotees. Nevertheless, under all but the worst conditions, the all-wheel-drive Bravada turned out to be a capable off-roader, and its highway behavior was nothing short of excellent.
By getting rid of the floor mounted transfer case control, Olds engineers eliminated the hole in the transmission tunnel that was a major source of cockpit noise in four-wheel drive blazers and Jimmys. And this, together with special drive-line balancing, produced a noticeable drop in noise and vibration in side the Bravada’s cockpit.
In keeping with its upmarket character, the Bravada sported an Oldsmobile-level interior, complete with cushy optional leather seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, console, and three accessory jacks, enough to run a small 1992 office. Likewise, the exterior exuded sufficient cues, air dam, fog lamps, and son on, to keep, to keep you from being turned away at the club. In sum, it was a sport utility vehicle tailored for the 300 or so miles of interstate that preceded many off-road-destinations, rather than the final few miles of trail that actually got you to the lodge.
With a base price of nearly $24k, the Bravada wasn’t exactly cheap. But the added civilization it provided was a welcome arrival or all but the most serious off-roaders. It truly was the Oldsmobile of Sport-Utilities.
Just when we all figured the automotive marketplace was glutted with every size, shape, and configuration of sport utility vehicles imaginable, along came Oldsmobile with one more. But before you dismiss the Bravada as one more of the same old thing, take another look. In truth, Oldsmobile’s new sport-ute turned out to be a purposeful entry with a meaningful place in the scheme of things.
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