Auto Buzz: Ridgeline prices, RX 330 brake woes

The Canadian-built Honda Ridgeline pickup will start at $34,800, Honda Canada has announced, though it will be possible to get one for a lot more if you're interested.The $34,800 MSRP is for the LX model, which Honda Canada describes as ''well equipped.'' A ''fully-featured'' EX-L will carry an MSRP of $39,200, an EX-L with a moonroof will retail for $40,400, and a ''technology-oriented'' EX-L Navi (which of course includes a navigation system) will be $43,900.Standard gear on all models will include what Honda Canada says is the ''most comprehensive list of standard safety equipment in its class, in keeping with Honda's industry-leading Safety for Everyone initiative.''So all Ridgeline trucks are equipped with :

• anti-lock brakes with electronic brake assist
• vehicle stability assist with traction control
• advanced dual-stage, dual-threshold driver's and front passenger's airbags
• driver and front passenger side airbags
• two-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, and
• a tire pressure monitoring system.

All Ridgeline models also get the five-speed automatic transmission with the truck's 3.5-litre DOHC V-6, which sends 255 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels through Honda's Variable Torque Management system.Comfort and convenience features include air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, power doors and windows, keyless entry, cruise control, an automatic heated windshield wiper zone, a six-speaker 100-watt sound system with CD player, all-weather floormats, a lockable In-Bed Trunk, a dual-action tailgate, and a power sliding rear window between the cab and the pickup bed. All Ridgeline models also come equipped ready to tow with standard transmission and oil coolers, heavy duty brakes, dual radiator fans, a fresh air intake system for improved towing performance in hot weather conditions, and pre-wiring for four- and seven-pin trailer hook up.For the extra money, the Ridgeline EX-L adds alloy wheels, a seven-speaker 160-watt audio system with subwoofer and six-disc, in-dash audio system with steering wheel controls, dual zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver's seat, leather seating surfaces, a HomeLink remote system, an interior compass in the rearview mirror, and heated front seats. The EX-L Navi trim comes with the moonroof, an MP3 jack and Honda's Satellite-Linked Navigation System with bilingual voice recognition.LEXUS RX330 SAFETY ISSUES: U.S. auto safety investigators are looking into the safety standards of the brakes on the RX330 SUV that Toyota's upscale Lexus division builds in Cambridge, Ontario.Apparently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received complaints about brake problems from at least 10 RX330 owners. At least one of the owners said the brakes on their RX330 ''went completely out'' when it was moving at more than 100 km/h. Lexus issued a technical service bulletin to its dealers on the issue in September, but has not notified other RX330 owners or issued a recall because it does not believe the problem is widespread, and because no injuries have resulted from the brake fault, or at least been ascribed to the brake fault.Details of the complaints are available at www.nhtsa.dot.gov .