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2003 Oldsmobile Bravada Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
Also in the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Oldsmobile Bravada Full Review
7.
8.
2003 Oldsmobile Bravada Review
Front side airbags are optional instead of standard on the 2003 edition of Oldsmobile's midsize SUV. Bravada shares its body-on-frame platform with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, and Isuzu Ascender, but unlike the others, it does not offer a longer 7-passenger version. Bravada comes only with an inline 6-cyl engine and automatic transmission. It is available with 2WD that includes traction control, or with an all-wheel-drive system that does not include low-range gearing. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and 17-inch alloy wheels are standard. A load-leveling rear air suspension is standard on 2WD models. AWD versions have a coil-spring rear suspension and for '03, charge $375 extra for the previously standard load-leveling setup. Formerly standard, the front side airbags are now a $350 option; they include head protection for the driver. A DVD rear-seat entertainment system is also optional. Note that GM confirms 2004 as the final model year for the Olds brand, though it has not specified when within the phaseout Bravada will be terminated. Bravada's performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped General Motors SUV siblings.
Competition
New to the class this year, Honda Pilot has taken the lead as a Best Buy. It offers ample cargo space, seating for eight passengers, all-wheel drive with a locking rear differential for added traction, and above-average refinement. Toyota Highlander is our other Best Buy, chosen for its on-road competence, convenience, and attractive pricing and design.
Our Recommended choices feature more-traditional SUVs: Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, and Toyota 4Runner. For 2003, all now offer optional V8 engines and--with the exception of 4Runner--three rows of seats.
Our Recommended choices feature more-traditional SUVs: Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, and Toyota 4Runner. For 2003, all now offer optional V8 engines and--with the exception of 4Runner--three rows of seats.
News
GM hasn't confirmed it yet, but sources say Bravada will hang on to the very end of the Oldsmobile nameplate, ceasing production after model-year 2004. We're not surprised. Bravada, after all, is an SUV, and SUVs are still money-makers, even distress merchandise like this. Still, Bravada sales are sliding like a downhill skier, off 23.5 percent year-to-year in calendar 2001 and another 32.2 percent in the first nine months of '02.
But don't worry if you miss out. Bravada will be reincarnated at Buick as the 2004 Rainier, which looks slightly different and offers a V8 option that Bravada was denied. Buick has already more or less introduced Rainier ahead of an expected early sales start, perhaps as early as summer of '03. Like Bravada, Rainier will be limited to a 5-passenger model, with no counterpart to the 7-seat extended versions of the related Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy.
But don't worry if you miss out. Bravada will be reincarnated at Buick as the 2004 Rainier, which looks slightly different and offers a V8 option that Bravada was denied. Buick has already more or less introduced Rainier ahead of an expected early sales start, perhaps as early as summer of '03. Like Bravada, Rainier will be limited to a 5-passenger model, with no counterpart to the 7-seat extended versions of the related Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy.
2003 Oldsmobile Bravada Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Passenger and cargo room | Fuel economy |
| Towing ability | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
GM boasts that its inline-6 has V8 power and 6-cyl fuel economy. The engine is strong, with good passing performance, but doesn't feel as potent as power ratings might imply.
| Bravada AWD w/load-leveling susp. | Class Average |
| 6 | 4.9 |
GM boasts that its inline-6 has V8 power and 6-cyl fuel economy. The engine is strong, with good passing performance, but doesn't feel as potent as power ratings might imply.
Fuel Economy
No opportunity to measure, but test 4WD TrailBlazer averaged 16.2 mpg in roughly 60 percent highway driving. By comparison, a test 4WD V6 Explorer averaged 17.1 mpg.
| Bravada AWD w/load-leveling susp. | Class Average |
| 4 | 3.7 |
No opportunity to measure, but test 4WD TrailBlazer averaged 16.2 mpg in roughly 60 percent highway driving. By comparison, a test 4WD V6 Explorer averaged 17.1 mpg.
Ride Quality
We have not driven an AWD Bravada with the coil-spring rear suspension, but that setup in the TrailBlazer and Envoy can feel floaty at highway speeds. By contrast, the rear air suspension is firmer, but absorbent enough for good comfort.
| Bravada AWD w/load-leveling susp. | Class Average |
| 6 | 4.4 |
We have not driven an AWD Bravada with the coil-spring rear suspension, but that setup in the TrailBlazer and Envoy can feel floaty at highway speeds. By contrast, the rear air suspension is firmer, but absorbent enough for good comfort.
Steering/Handling/Braking
With rear air suspension, Bravada and Envoy have the best road manners among these GM-built midsize SUVs. Handling is good considering the truck-type build. Steering adequately precise, not as vague as TrailBlazer. Body lean prominent, but better controlled, too. Brakes have more than ample stopping power. Traction control standard on 2WD models works well in the snow.
| Bravada AWD w/load-leveling susp. | Class Average |
| 4 | 3.5 |
With rear air suspension, Bravada and Envoy have the best road manners among these GM-built midsize SUVs. Handling is good considering the truck-type build. Steering adequately precise, not as vague as TrailBlazer. Body lean prominent, but better controlled, too. Brakes have more than ample stopping power. Traction control standard on 2WD models works well in the snow.
Quietness
Some tire noise at highway speeds, but not as intrusive as in TrailBlazer. Like the Chevy, however, Bravada does suffer some wind noise. Engine quite smooth and refined.
| Bravada AWD w/load-leveling susp. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4.1 |
Some tire noise at highway speeds, but not as intrusive as in TrailBlazer. Like the Chevy, however, Bravada does suffer some wind noise. Engine quite smooth and refined.
Controls
Clear, handy. Switchgear has smooth, quality feel, except loose, flimsy headlamp knob. Materials decent, but don't seem as rich as those in Envoy, which is supposed to slot below Bravada in GM family.
| Bravada AWD w/load-leveling susp. | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.1 |
Clear, handy. Switchgear has smooth, quality feel, except loose, flimsy headlamp knob. Materials decent, but don't seem as rich as those in Envoy, which is supposed to slot below Bravada in GM family.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Good head and leg room, even for taller folks. Seats are fairly comfortable and supportive. Headrests and thick pillars can block driver's aft sightlines.
| Bravada AWD w/load-leveling susp. | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.3 |
Good head and leg room, even for taller folks. Seats are fairly comfortable and supportive. Headrests and thick pillars can block driver's aft sightlines.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Ample head and knee room for 6-footers. Plenty of foot clearance beneath front seats. Seat is comfortable and fairly supportive. Wide enough to squeeze in three adults.
| Bravada AWD w/load-leveling susp. | Class Average |
| 6 | 5.4 |
Ample head and knee room for 6-footers. Plenty of foot clearance beneath front seats. Seat is comfortable and fairly supportive. Wide enough to squeeze in three adults.
Cargo Room
Generous. The 60/40 split fold seat easy to operate, has clever automatic-folding headrests. Cabin has good array of pockets and compartments for small items.
| Bravada AWD w/load-leveling susp. | Class Average |
| 8 | 7.8 |
Generous. The 60/40 split fold seat easy to operate, has clever automatic-folding headrests. Cabin has good array of pockets and compartments for small items.
Value within Class
Bravada's decent road manners make it better suited to typical street duty than the TrailBlazer, though we rate the Envoy as the best value. Rivals such as the Acura MDX or Lexus RX 330 offer much more refinement than Bravada for only a little more money. And Bravada's resale and lease-residual values are further harmed by the phaseout of Oldsmobile.
| Bravada AWD w/load-leveling susp. | Class Average |
| 4 | 5 |
Bravada's decent road manners make it better suited to typical street duty than the TrailBlazer, though we rate the Envoy as the best value. Rivals such as the Acura MDX or Lexus RX 330 offer much more refinement than Bravada for only a little more money. And Bravada's resale and lease-residual values are further harmed by the phaseout of Oldsmobile.
Total Score
| Bravada AWD w/load-leveling susp. | Class Average |
| 56 | 51.2 |
Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles
| Low Score | 35 | |
| Average Score | 51 | |
| High Score | 66 |
2003 Oldsmobile Bravada Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 06/05/2003
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| 2WD Base 4-door wagon | $33,395 | $30,222 | $650 |
|
|
|||
| AWD Base 4-door wagon | $35,345 | $31,987 | $650 |
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Base
Powertrain
4.2-liter 6-cylinder engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control, limited-slip rear differential.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, rear climate controls, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio and climate controls, cruise control, OnStar System w/one-year service (roadside assistance, emergency services; other services available), leather upholstery, 8-way power front bucket seats w/lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, rear radio controls, digital clock, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, trip computer, overhead console, universal garage-door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, automatic headlights, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, rear liftgate, rear privacy glass, roof rack, fog lights, cornering lights.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Platform hitch, 7-wire trailer harness, load-leveling rear suspension, full-size spare tire, 245/65R17 tires, alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive. Deletes: traction control, load-leveling rear suspension.
Optional Equipment
Powertrain |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
Special axle ratio
|
||
|
Base
|
$50
|
$43
|
|
|
||
Safety |
||
|
Front side airbags
|
||
|
Base
|
$350
|
$301
|
|
|
||
Comfort and Convenience Features |
||
|
Rear-seat entertainment system
|
||
|
Base
|
$1,000
|
$860
|
|
DVD player, LCD screen, rear controls, headphones.
|
||
|
Power sunroof
|
||
|
Base
|
$800
|
$688
|
|
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
|
||
|
Base
|
$295
|
$254
|
|
Bose sound system
|
||
|
Base
|
$495
|
$426
|
|
Digital memo recorder
|
||
|
Base
|
$85
|
$73
|
|
Memory Pkg.
|
||
|
Base
|
$180
|
$155
|
|
Driver-seat and mirror memory.
|
||
|
Heated front seats
|
||
|
Base
|
$250
|
$215
|
|
Requires Memory Pkg.
|
||
|
Cargo cover
|
||
|
Base
|
$125
|
$108
|
|
Includes mat and net.
|
||
|
Cargo-management system
|
||
|
Base
|
$165
|
$142
|
|
Rain-sensing wipers
|
||
|
Base
|
$70
|
$60
|
|
|
||
Appearance and Miscellaneous |
||
|
Gold Pkg.
|
||
|
Base
|
$100
|
$86
|
|
Special paint
|
||
|
Base
|
$95
|
$82
|
|
Engine-block heater
|
||
|
AWD
|
$35
|
$31
|
|
|
||
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires |
||
|
Load-leveling rear suspension
|
||
|
AWD
|
$375
|
$323
|
|
255/60R17 tires
|
||
|
AWD
|
$95
|
$82
|
|
Requires load-leveling rear suspension.
|
||
|
Polished alloy wheels
|
||
|
Base
|
$495
|
$426
|
|
|
||
2003 Oldsmobile Bravada Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Oldsmobile Bravada 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 113.0 |
| Overall Length, in. | 191.6 |
| Overall Width, in. | 74.7 |
| Overall Height, in. | 71.9 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 4600 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 83.3 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.7 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.2 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 44.6 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.6 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 37.1 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc I6 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 4.2 /256 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 275 @ 6000 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 275 @ 3600 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 4-speed automatic | 15/21 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Oldsmobile Bravada 4-door wagon |
| Front Impact, Driver | 3 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 3 |
| Rollover Resistance | 3 |
| Side Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Side Impact, Rear Passenger | 5 |
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%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | 5/60,000 | GM Protection Plan, see dealer for details. |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 6/100,000 | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
USA
Drivewheels:
all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive
Also in the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Oldsmobile Bravada Full Review
7.
8.
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