1991-1994 Oldsmobile Bravada Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Oldsmobile Bravada. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Oldsmobile Bravada.

1991-1994 Oldsmobile Bravada Review

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.

Year to Year Changes

1992 Oldsmobile 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 Oldsmobile 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 Oldsmobile 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.

1991-1994 Oldsmobile Bravada Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Fuel economy

Wet-weather traction	Engine noise

Antilock brakes (optional)

Passenger and cargo room

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

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.

Value for the Money
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 4x4 that deserves serious consideration.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Oldsmobile Bravada	Rating

Performance	5

Fuel Economy	3

Ride Quality	4

Steering/Handling/Braking	4

Quietness	3

Controls/Materials	4

Interior Room	5

Room/Comfort (rear)	4

Cargo Capacity	4

Value within Class	5

Total:	41

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1991-1994 Oldsmobile Bravada Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Automatic transmission: 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: 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: 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)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$415

Alternator	$215

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$900

Brakes	$200

Exhaust System	$290

Radiator	$415

Shocks and/or Struts	$555

Timing Chain or Belt	$310

Universal Joints	$130

NHTSA Recall History

1991: Rear-seatbelt buckle release button can stick in unlatched position under certain conditions.

1994: Solder joints can crack, causing windshield wipers to work intermittently.

1991-1994 Oldsmobile Bravada Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1991
Bravada	$1,500-1,900	$1,000-1,200	$200

1992
Bravada	$1,700-2,200	$1,100-1,500	$300

1993
Bravada	$1,900-2,400	$1,300-1,700	$300-400

1994
Bravada	$2,100-2,600	$1,500-1,800	$400-500

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1991-1994 Oldsmobile Bravada Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	107.0

Overall Length, in.	178.9

Overall Width, in.	65.2

Overall Height, in.	65.6

Curb Weight, lbs.	3939

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	74.3

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	20.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.1

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.5

Rear Head Room, in.	38.8

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.5

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

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.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohv V6	4.3 / 262	160	230	4-speed automatic: 17/22	4-speed automatic: 18.2

ohv V6	4.3 / 262	200	260	4-speed automatic: 16/21	4-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1994 Bravada

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	2

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: USA

Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear- or all-wheel drive

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Also in the 1991-1994 Oldsmobile Bravada Review:

Oldsmobile Bravada

Oldsmobile Bravada Road Test

Oldsmobile Bravada Reliability

Oldsmobile Bravada Prices

Oldsmobile Bravada Specs & Safety

Oldsmobile Bravada Photos

Oldsmobile Bravada Full Review