Oldsmobile Bravada SUV wagon stocks luxe items.

Posted by Editor

May 30, 2009

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Oldsmobile's mid-size sport-utility wagon, Bravada, only comes one way -- first-class. A second generational design, which emerged in 1996, eliminated that truckish ride quality of the original Bravada because with the new edition Oldsmobile switched to a rigid chassis and installed compliant suspension elements. In case you missed the fact that the Oldsmobile lineup blends a wagon into the mix of fancy sedans, understand that Bravada first appeared in 1991 as a plush sport-utility vehicle built atop the chassis of GM's compact-class pickup truck. It featured a differential transfer case which put power to all wheels for superior pavement traction, yet the vehicle was never intended to compete as off-road warrior. Bravada's original mission was to cruise wet or dry pavement routes in safe stance through any type of weather, and do so while enveloping passengers with deluxe comforts of a luxury vehicle. Its shortcoming, in my opinion, was that the original Bravada rode rough like a truck and required too much effort to maneuver in traffic -- not the comfort-oriented attributes usually associated with Oldsmobile's image.

Then came the new platform in 1995, first manifested with Chevrolet's lively Blazer and the GMC Jimmy. By the time Oldsmobile crafted a Bravada variation, it sported its own unique exterior trimmings, and a deluxe cabin with all seats covered in soft leather as standard issue. Also, Bravada packed muscle under that sloped hood. Its engine, an iron block 4.3-liter V6 with overhead valving and sequential central port injection, produces 190 hp at 4400 rpm and 250 lbs/ft of torque at 2800 rpm. It mates to a 4-speed electronic automatic transmission that deletes all shifting hassles from the task of driving. Bravada's muscle shows out best when climbing steep grades, like those one tester navigated in Michigan hills on a rugged gravel course near Traverse City. It zipped up slippery slopes as easily as if meandering down a dusty lane, but with traction applied evenly to all wheels. On pavement, Bravada packs power in reserve to pass slower vehicles without fear of sagging -- and if you pull a trailer, it can tow a load weighing up to 5,000 pounds. It's this trailer-toting, slope-sucking, car-passing strength that nabbed my attention when testing the revamped Bravada, but what ultimately won my confidence came from its easy handling nature and that car-like ride quality. Essence of Bravada's improvements may be traced to its foundation with the enhanced platform. Reinforcing a boxed ladder-type chassis makes Bravada's platform more rigid so it resists twisting when in motion. This improves stability in turning and crossing road bumps.

Then add independent front suspension elements with upper and lower control arms and torsion and sway bars, a rigid rear axle outfitted with semi-elliptical leaf springs and stabilizer bar, plus De Carbone high-pressure gas shock absorbers at all four wheels for consistent damping, and the result becomes a luxurious ride quality that's smooth yet entirely predictable. Another predictable mechanical element traces to Bravada's full-time 4x4 system, dubbed SmartTrak. Since it's always engaged, a driver never has to decide when to shift into 4-wheel traction -- it's ready for assistance at any time. SmartTrak combines full-time 4-wheel-drive with a Borg Warner transfer case, center differential, viscous limited-slip device, Eaton locking rear differential and Kelsey Hayes anti-lock brakes. Under normal conditions, 65 percent of the engine's torque shoots to the rear axle and 35 percent goes to the front, but in slippery situations SmartTrak takes control, sensing which wheels spin and which need more traction. What it becomes is a real confidence-builder because Bravada can maintain a tight grip to pavement when lesser machines may not. As slippery Michigan slopes also showed, SmartTrak performs capably off-road in tough conditions, although the intent for Bravada is not wilderness maneuvers but comfort and security for urban adventures. Bravada also stocks safety hardware, including integrated front and rear crash zones, daytime running lights and driver's-side airbag.

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