For a vehicle that’s almost a wagon but not quite a mini-van, the Chrysler Pacifica seemed to have everything going for it. With a lower ride than an SUV, but more cargo space than a car, this CUV (crossover utility vehicle) seemed a great match for families. But as The Truth About Cars documents, DaimlerChrysler took yet another promising concept and f-ed it up:

In keeping with Motown traditions, the first Pacificas hit dealer showrooms fully-loaded: all wheel-drive, load-leveling suspension, leather upholstery, heated first and second-row seats, sunroof, power liftgate, navigation (beautifully situated directly in front of the driver), dual zone climate control, DVD entertainment system and Sirius satellite radio. While the car’s upscale pretensions were obvious from the git-go, potential customers couldn’t see the price point. Initial Pacificas cost north of $35K. Even worse, the CUV’s build quality didn’t match the model’s “near luxury” aspirations. In-dash rattles, plastic panels that fell off, unpainted gas caps—the Pacifica (along with the new Crossfire Sports Car) was ground zero for dreams of Mercedes quality combined with Chrysler style.

But it looks to me like Mercedes has had problems with this market too.