As all-wheel drive sport utility vehicles (SUVs) became the apple of the car buying public’s eye, the astute folks in the Oldsmobile division of General Motors (GM) were the first to get a clue that offering one with luxury pretensions might be a good plan. The result of that thinking became the Olds Bravada.

The Bravada shares the same platform as the GMC Jimmy and Chevy Blazer. Naturally, it has its own distinctive grille, side cladding and interior details, but it’s what underneath the sheet metal and plastic that sets it apart. In addition to numerous galvanized body panels, it’s mounted on a separate frame.

The all-wheel drive system in the Bravada is called SmartTrak, and is completely automatic — meaning it requires no action on the part of the driver. Its electronically controlled transfer case distributes power as needed. With stabilizer bars mounted at both ends, the front suspension boasts torsion bars and A-arms, while the rear live axle utilizes leaf springs. The standard 4-wheel disc brakes are linked to an anti-lock (ABS) braking system.

The Bravada is aimed at buyers in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Explorer Limited, Mercury Mountaineer, Toyota 4-Runner, Honda Passport, Nissan Pathfinder, Lexus RX300 et. al segment of the market. In a “one size fits all” configuration, it’s offered solely in an all-wheel drive, 4-door version with a single trim level.

In true GM style, the Bravada shares the same drivetrain as its Blazer-Jimmy siblings — the standard, workhorse 4.3-liter V6 Vortec engine married to a 4-speed automatic transmission. On the highway, the V-6 offers lots of zip and is pretty responsive.

The ride is silky, with the suspension and big tires smoothing out the bumps and potholes. Normal driving boasts precision and stability, thanks to the stiff frame. Steering is precise and allows for good maneuverability.

Behind the wheel, the instrument panel is well-organized with quick to read gauges, and controls that are within easy reach.

Standard equipment includes leather seating, power windows, door locks and mirrors, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, dual airbags, a PASS-Lock theft deterrent system as well as automatic climate control, cruise control and tilt steering wheel.

The rear hatch is a one piece affair that includes a window that can be opened separately from a button on the dash. It opens to a cargo compartment that is roomy and can be expanded by folding down the back seat.

Applause: The SmartTrak system only takes a quarter of a second to react to changing conditions and is totally seamless to the driver. Overall, it’s one of the better all-wheel drive systems I’ve seen.

Whines: The “Smart Stalk,” which controls the turn signals and just about everything else, is way over-engineered for my taste. Simple would be better in this instance. Also, maybe it was just me, but fit and finish-wise, the panel alignments seemed somewhat irregular and the plastic trim a little cheesy looking.

Bottom Line: A strong competitor in this very crowded market segment. Offering one of the best all-wheel drive systems and above average V-6 performance, the Olds Bravada is definitely worth your time for a test drive.