There was a rather malicious rumour doing the rounds not long ago that Ford was selling badges which read ‘con’ – ready for buyers from the fusion to place immediately in front of the tailgate badge.

Behind this is actually the suggestion this is a car without any real place in the market – hence its nickname of Confusion. Essentially a Fiesta on stilts, the vehicle is exactly what Ford describe as a urban lifestyle vehicle.

Get over that and you find a car that’s quite civilized, actually. The ideal choice of engines (the very best of that is the 1.5 turbo diesel) and handling that’s quite good – the additional height creates a bit more body roll than Fiesta – combine with a good quantity of interior space to create a useful town car.