The only SUV ever marketed by Oldsmobile, the Bravada was the first light truck offered by General Motors outside of the Chevrolet and GMC divisions since 1924.

The third generation of the model line adopted a dedicated SUV platform, shared with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy.

Launched alongside the newly introduced four-door version of the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer, the Bravada was the first Oldsmobile truck-based vehicle since the 1920s.

In contrast to its divisional counterparts, the Bravada was sold only as a four-door SUV; no two-door body nor any pickup truck version was produced.

A body-color headlight surround was styled with a traditional Oldsmobile split grille; aluminum wheels were standard equipment.

Distinguished by its lower bodyside trim (matching the bumpers) and the split front grille, the Bravada was fitted with six-spoke aluminum wheels (in line with the Aurora).

For 1999, OnStar was introduced as a cellular-phone unit; in 2001, the system was integrated into the rearview mirror with available features like hands-free calling and virtual advisor.

[5] Serving as the launch model of the all-new GMT360 architecture (a platform dedicated to mid-size SUVs), the Bravada was now the counterpart of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, and Isuzu Ascender.

[7] The last 500 examples were produced as Final 500 Special Editions; each example featured custom seat embroidering and exterior badging inspired by vintage Oldsmobile logos, dark cherry metallic paint, unique chrome alloy wheels, and a medallion identifying the production number of the vehicle (1 to 500).

Though GM discontinued the Oldsmobile Bravada, its body lived on in two different vehicles: the Buick Rainier (2004–2007) served as its direct replacement with the flagship Saab 9-7X (2005–2009) also using its bodyshell.