Dependability, Smart-Trak system, comfy interior

Hump on right-front floor, no security cover over cargo area, needs more power and better suspension for towing, eats brakes and headlights

Seen&read quite a few horror stories about this component and that. Touch wood, our Bravada has been almost trouble-free. We have 155,000 miles on it! Meticulous maintenance and preventative maintenance helps. Got 110,000 miles out of original tires. Have had no trans problems even with the occasional long tow of a vintage race car. Still looks and runs like new, uses no oil. Only breakdown occured around 140,000 miles. Fuel pump went. Other than that, just normal stuff as needed. Brakes, partial exhaust, a battery. And lots of headlights? We almost bought a LR Discovery. Glad we didn't, it would have never given us the service the Bravada has. Seriously considering a 2002 Bravada with more towing power and a body and interior package that doesn't look quite as "dated" now. Our Bravada is "worth" practically nothing so we will keep it as a spare vehicle. Why should I just give it away? Currently it's a luxury SUV at a used Hyundai price. Maybe we just got a good one, but it's been refreshingly trouble-free for the past 6 and a half years.

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looked at Jimmy and Jeep before buying Bravada new, AWD is idiot-proof and my wife likes to be able to "just get in and drive", no switches, levers, etc

This SUV is LOADED and its all standard! Standards include leather interior, CD/Tape deck, steering wheel touch controls for the stereo, climate control, and driver information center. Few options include heated seats, sunroof, rain-sensing wipers... The SmartTrak All-Wheel-Drive system is convenient in that it works automatically without buttons or levers. It's way classier than the new TrailBlazer. It is a beautiful SUV with a car-like cushy ride.

The climate control fan: when its on high, it sounds like my old 83 Cutlass Ciera 4 cyl when there was a hole in the muffler. Fuel economy: they claimed it was a great improvement over the old Bravada, but it's really 1 mpg better (16/21 vs last year's 15/20). I am afraid of how it will handle off-road. I'll find out this summer when I go camping. The performance is not phenomenal, but maybe thats just because I'm just used to my Alero.

So far it's a great truck. I love the space and the utility of it. I can't wait for the weather to get warmer so I can go camping and biking. I drive 70 miles a day round trip to work. This truck is always calm cool and collected. So far I am happy with my Bravada. The price hike was kind of greedy on GM's part since the Infiniti QX4 is a few hundred less. But the Bravada has more standard features. I just can't put Olds and Infiniti in the same class. I'd recommend it.

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2001 Bravda: oh my god can you say improvement?!?! If you thought the 2001 had a cushy ride, check out the 2002 with the new rear air suspension. The handling is far greater and the whole thing seems more structurally sound. This is much better quality than the old Bravada.

* Driver seat comfort.
* Leather interior is nice.
* Oil filter is conveniently located.

* Abnormal front tire wear.
* Inability to hold an alignment.
* Premature abnormal ball joint wear.
* Poor handling and driving performance.
* Wind noise.
* Poor mileage.
* Uncomfortable rear seat & rear access.
* Front passenger foot space limitation due to bump in floor design.
* Engine cuts out from time to time.

I experienced poor driving performance shortly after purchase. As steering components began to wear prematurely, the handling performance decreased rapidly. (Note: joints appeared to be properly grease/packed however wear continued.) With less than 9,000 miles on the odometer, this vehicle under gone three front end alignments, four new tires, new ball joints and the idler arm was replaced. Disappointed with the substandard quality of product material used for steering components in this vehicle by GM/Oldsmobile. I strongly recommend consumers to keep all service records throughout ownership and check out several consumer review sites prior to purchase. I have since, found several consumer reviews which report ball joint wear experience on Chevolet Blazer as well.

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* Chevolet Blazer
I owned a new 1986 S-10 Blazer which I also had problems with shortly after purchase which the manufacture repurchased following an arbitration dispute settlement.

* Driver seat comfort.
* Leather interior is nice.
* Oil filter is conveniently located.

* Abnormal front tire wear.
* Inability to hold an alignment.
* Premature abnormal ball joint wear.
* Wind noise.
* Poor mileage.
* Uncomfortable rear seat & rear seat access.
* Front passenger foot space limitation due to bump in floor design.
* Engine cuts out from time to time.

I experienced poor driving performance shortly after purchase. As steering components began to wear prematurely, the handling performance decreased rapidly. With less than 9,000 miles on the odometer, this vehicle under gone three front end alignments, four new tires, new ball joints and the idler arm was replaced. Disappointed with the substandard quality of product material used for steering components, in this vehicle, by GM/Oldsmobile. I strongly recommend consumers to keep all service records throughout ownership and check out several consumer review sites prior to purchase. I have found several consumer reviews which report ball joint wear on SUV's including the similar Chevolet Blazer.

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* Chevolet Blazer
I purchased a new Chevolet Blazer which I also had problems with shortly after purchase which the manufacture repurchased following an arbitration dispute settlement.

Ergonomically, the Bravada I have seems to be layed out very nicely, is very nice to drive. Rides very nice for an SUV

For the money, I think Oldsmobile could have built it a little bit tighter interior wise, at about 11K miles, the plastic seems to pop and click a bit. The gas mileage could be better but average about 18MPG. The 190HP engine is more than adequate, but a little more beef would be appreciated. The inside in the cargo area could contain more space as it fills up very fast, even with the seats down.

To be perfectly honest, I did have one problem with the 2000 Bravada I purchased, I was getting a shutter in the drive train just before I would step on the gas to go, took it back to the dealer, dealer said that the fluid in the transaxles that comes in the Bravada from the factory that there was a problem with it, they replaced the fluid, no problems after that.

I give my 2000 Bravada high marks, the one I bought has turned out to be a really really good one (probably wasn't built on a Monday), but I think GM emphasis on running a business for profit versus their focus on building really great vehicles hurts them.

Oldsmobile, had they decided to really engineer the Bravada versus incorporating the practice of cheapening and design for wear out so that one gets aggravated and sooner or later gets rid of their vehicle, Oldsmobile should have paid more attention to design correctness, design quality. GM used to have a slogan "The Mark Of Excellence", whatever happened to it? GM could have built an outstanding Bravada for the same price instead of the really good Bravada that I have. I plan to take a serious look at the 2002 Bravada just as soon as it comes out, it appears to be "THE BRAVADA" Oldmobile should have come out with 5 years ago and led the SUV pack with innovation.

I'd still recommend a Bravada, based on my experience, to someone that could afford it.

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2000 Chevy Blazer and 2000 Xterra - if anyone ever needs to be reminded of just how well the Bravada handles and rides, just step down into a Chevy Blazer for about 3 or 4 days, when you come back to your Bravada, you'll appreciate your Bravada a whole lot more. No comparison to the Xterra, the Bravada simply outclasses it without even rolling down the road. In choosing to replace my Aurora with a new Olds, after test driving the Aurora with the Bravada, the Bravada won.

Same as previous review

Same as previous review

Just thought I'd make an update to the review I posted a year ago. I now have over 61k on the Bravada and have had no problems at all. The windshield did crack on me a month ago, but I live in Denver where that problem isn't exactly rare (windshield replacement guys make a killing out here).

This year I hit the 3 year mark with my Bravada, which I bought new in December 1997. Overall I'd have to say I am very pleased. It's held up very well considering I put 30k/year on it, including a fair bit of off-road time. I was sad to hear that the Spring 2001 special edition model would not only be the last Bravada made, but the last Oldsmobile period. I'm almost considering trading in for one - the new styling looks really nice.

I'm not sure what the story is with some of the other reviews here - I've never had the problems they mention. Either their Bravada's were an abberation or mine is:)

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Ford Explorer

I like the exterior looks very much, the interior is much better than Blazer or Durango. It comes standard with most things you can buy. The Ride is very good. Good gas mileage. My wife gets around 18-20 mpg all of the time. She loves this car. The all wheel drive is fantastic. No buttons to push, no levers to pull..

A little mushy when turning corners.

I think it is a very good vehicle. Good gas mileage, decent performance, very good ride, good quality on fit and finish, an all round good car. It does seem a little top heavy, according to my Durango, but I'm more used to driving the dodge. When the 2002 model comes out, it will be a little larger, with more hp. Might be a good one to look at. If you are looking at an SUV to get about 25 or 30 mpg, go somewhere else. This car won't do that.

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1999 Blazer, We like it much better. The blazer had a shudder in the rear end, which the service manager could never fix. It was in the shop 7 times, and they could not fix it. I had to trade it off to get rid of the shudder. Also the chevy had a real bad blind spot on the right side of the car. It was a 2 dr.. 1998 Durango. The interior in the Bravada is much more plush. more expensive looking than the Durango. Gas mileage is much better.. The Durango handles better though.

I really like the styling. It looks much better than Blazer/Jimmy.
I have the gold package and I really looks nice. The AWD system is flawless. The seats are very comfortable. Ride quality is car soft.

Gas mileage.
Very numb steering.
Top heavyness.
Paid more than I shood have.

Overall I like my Bravada. So far I have not had any problems with it.
It is espically nice to have the auto AWD and not have to worry about
any buttons or levers. Will see how it performs in NY winter.
I would definity recommend it.

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This is my first 4x4 SUV. First owned a 86 Chevy S-10 2wd and then moved
up to a Pontiac sunfire and then a Saturn SL2 sedan.

I have had my bravada for over a year now and I really like it. It handles well and it is a comfortable ride.

I have been dealing with a loud noise when turning. When I took it in to the dealership, they told me it was normal.

Yes I would recommend the Bravada. It is a little costly...but the ride is worth it.

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I am looking for a new vehicle now...and I don't think I will be getting another Bravada.

Has all the luxuries of a expensive car. Great to ride it on long trips, I regularly make long trips in it and am not stiff or sore at all unlike a car. Can haul a lot of stuff to college. Does a great job in rain, snow, and does a suprisingly good job off road.

Rough ride, for all the luxuries it has, it still rides like a truck. The all wheel drive system sucks gas when you don't need it. Eats breaks like chocolate.

I would recommand it if you like the suv feel and the luxury of expensive cars. I bought it used for 12K. Is a good car to ride in and a fun suv to drive.

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87 Blazer, 88 Trooper . Is better all around then these.