1998 Oldsmobile Bravada Review

There was one good thing about last Monday's nasty snowstorm here--it allowed a good test of Oldsmobile's all-wheel-drive Bravada sport/utility vehicle on treacherous roads.

The hot-selling, $30,645 Bravada came through in fine style. It easily handled slippery pavement with its standard SmartTrak full-time all-wheel-drive system, which has no levers to pull or buttons to push.

The Bravada essentially is a posher--and costlier--version of General Motors' Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Jimmy mid-size sport/utility vehicles.

Aimed at upscale sport/utes such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer Limited, the Bravada has its own exterior trim, standard leather upholstery and interior wood accents. But why the old-fashioned, low-rent hood prop?

This Oldsmobile also is the only member of the GM trio to have the exceptional SmartTrak, which was optional for last year's Blazer and Jimmy.

The Bravada's smooth 190-horsepower V-6 provides strong acceleration to 60 m.p.h., but has just average punch above that speed--with a so-so 65-75 m.p.h. passing time.

After all, a fairly small 4.3-liter engine can't be expected to be a fireball when powering an all-wheel-drive vehicle that weighs two tons. At least the Bravada is geared to allow the V-6 to loaf at highway cruising speeds.

The engine works with a smooth, electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission that upshifts seamlessly and downshifts quickly. But, as with all mid-size sport/utes, fuel economy is nothing to shout about at an estimated 16 m.p.g. in the city and 21 on highways.

The standard power steering also is mediocre. It is vague and rubbery, although reasonably fast. The all-disc, anti-lock brakes easily stop the Bravada, but its stiff brake pedal is hard to modulate.

On the flip side, the ride and handling are good. And SmartTrak has been made even better for 1998; it now delivers all power to the rear wheels on dry pavement to minimize unwanted driveline influence on the steering and wear of front-end parts. When wheel slippage occurs, SmartTrak instantly shoots power to wheels with the most traction.

However, the Bravada is designed for on-road use--with no drive system low range for serious off-road treks.

While boxy, this sport/ute looks better for 1998--thanks to items such as new dual grilles and larger headlights. There's also slicker new bodyside cladding and a new cutout rear bumper for better access to the cargo area and roof rack.

Also new for 1998 are a standard automatic climate control system, improved sound systems, revised electrical system for less maintenance hassles, handsome aluminum wheels and a heated driver's outside rearview mirror.

The Bravada is so loaded with equipment that among its few options are a $750 sunroof and new, $225 heated front seats in keeping with its upscale image.

Visibility is good in all directions, and the revamped, commendably quiet interior has depowered air bags and a revised instrument panel that looks as if taken from a small airplane.

The large gauges can be read at a glance, and the easily reached radio and climate controls work smoothly. Power window and mirror controls are strategically located on the driver's door armrest, and the driver's seat has a nicely shaped power control.

Energy-absorbing knee bolsters for front occupants are integrated into lower instrument panel surfaces. And a passenger-side grab handle helps guide the right-side air bag's deployment for optimum protection if there's a collision.

There is good storage room in the front console, but the small glove compartment holds little more than the owner's manual and a pair of gloves.

The driver's seat, which has a new power recliner, should slide back more for a tall person. And a raised area of the front-passenger floor eats into foot room for occupants in the right front seat. While both front seats are nicely shaped, they're on the small side for some folks.

The Bravada's rear-seat room really shines, with plenty of space for two big adults. The center of the rear seat even is comfortable for short trips, but doorways that are narrow at the bottom don't make it easy to climb in or out of the backseat.

The rear cargo area is modest with the split/fold rear seat in its normal position. But that seat easily can be flipped entirely forward with one simple motion to create a greatly enlarged, conveniently flat cargo area.

Olds cleverly has provided rear seat headrests that fold by themselves when that seat is moved down for the extra cargo space. In most sport/utes, one must yank out the headrests when folding the rear seat forward--and then find a place to put them.

The Bravada also has two flat carpeted sections that automatically cover the open space created when the rear seat is folded--preventing cargo from being snagged in that space.

Also clever is the cargo-hiding shade. It extends across the normal cargo area from a retractor in the left-side body panel. Thus, there is no need to dismount the retractor when carrying long objects.

Little things like that--and the inside pull strap for the big rear tailgate--make a sport/utility easy to live with on a long-term basis. Look at items such as the easily gripped inside door handles and integrated cupholders in the rear armrests and you can see that quite a bit of thought was given to making the Bravada very user-friendly.

The nicely painted Bravada feels plenty rugged but offers a good dose of luxury and an exceptional all-wheel-drive system. No wonder its sales are up this year.