It's ironic that the styling of off-road vehicles, a look that has evolved from a purely pragmatic set of design solutions, has become a more saleable asset than their actual off-road performance. The 4x4 is now a fashion statement and its design cues are permeating the mainstream with increasing regularity. It's reached the stage where you can buy vehicles built to look like off-roaders but which would be no more adept in a muddy field than your family hatchback. Say hello to the Ford Fusion Pursuit, a classic example of automotive style over substance that it's hard not to like.

The Fusion Pursuit is what Ford's Fusion should have been from the outset. Before the car's launch, rumours were rife of a rugged Fiesta-based 4x4 look-a-like but when the covers slid from the Fusion's bodywork, the assembled media scrum was treated to a Fiesta that was slightly taller. Ford, it seemed, had lost their bottle, toning down the Fusion's 4x4 styling themes and removing the central point of the car in the process. Admittedly, rival mock-roaders haven't exactly set the sales charts on fire, with Volkswagen's Polo Dune commanding only modest interest from buyers along with Citroen's C3 XTR and the less said about the Rover Streetwise the better, but at least they went the whole hog.

The Fusion Pursuit does likewise, its extensive body styling kit incorporating deep side mouldings that extend down the length of the car. These do without body-colouring and so create a two-tone effect in tandem with the upper bodywork which can be specified in Colorado red, Tonic, Moondust Sliver, Tango Red, Frozen White, Verdigris and Ocean Blue. The Pursuit's rugged appearance is further reinforced by front and rear skid plates with alloy wheels, clear side indicators and a rear spoiler completing the effect.

"If you can take the Ford Fusion Pursuit for what it is and stop grouching about its lack of any off-road ability, its appeal is clear"

Standard equipment obviously includes the standard Fusion specification of a CD stereo, remote central locking, twin front airbags and driver's seat height adjustment supplemented by a sliver gear knob. The 'Climate' part of the car's official moniker denotes the additional inclusion of air-conditioning, Ford's Quickclear windscreen and powered, heated mirrors.

This particular Fusion is offered with a choice of engines. Each 1.4-litres in capacity, the two available powerplants are a 79bhp 16v petrol and a 67bhp TDCi common-rail diesel. The petrol option is faster with a 14-second 0-62mph sprint but it has to be worked harder than the diesel under normal driving conditions because of the TDCi unit's superior torque. The diesel might take a laborious 16.3s to perform the 0-62mph time trial but it's stronger through the mid-range because of its 160Nm maximum torque from 2,000rpm - the petrol engine delivers 124Nm from 3,500rpm. The oil burner is more economical too, with a 61mpg combined average compared to 43mpg in the petrol. You'll pay £11,995 for the petrol model and £12,695 for the diesel derivative.

The Fusion Pursuit looks impressively macho but if you did drive it into the middle of a bog, it would quickly reveal itself to be all show and no go. As with all the vehicles of this type, its underpinnings are lifted directly from the supermini that spawned it and the last time I checked, Ford's Fiesta was not equipped with four-wheel-drive. At least the Fusion's raised ride height should make it that bit easier to tow out of trouble and the Pursuit's body cladding might help prevent it picking up too many knocks on the way.

It's important to point out that the reasons why the 4x4 look has become so popular with city dwellers who never venture offroad are not purely cosmetic. By some happy coincidence, the chunky wheels and raised ride height that help a 4x4 traverse off-road obstacles let urban motorists take kerbs and traffic calming measures in their stride while affording them an enhanced view of their surroundings over the top of less lofty vehicles. The Fusion isn't a proper 4x4 but it does still offer these benefits, albeit to a lesser degree.

That driving position is a full 75mm higher than you'd find in a Fiesta and it's longer but slightly narrower too. The bumpers and rubbing strips followed intensive research into how cars become damaged in the urban environment. Should you contrive to take the Fusion's name somewhat literally and meld it with something else, it's good to know that you've an Intelligent Protection System that will intervene with dual stage front air bags that sense the type and severity of the impact. Side airbags are available for front seat passengers and optional curtain bags provide side-impact head protection.

The high seating position gives a commanding view of the road ahead and there's a wonderful sense of airiness about the cabin. As well as offering the usual split/fold rear seats, the Fusion also allows the front passenger seat and the rear seats to fold flat, although the operation isn't as slick as in some rivals. Even with the seats in an upright position, the boot is impressive with a standard luggage volume of some 337 litres. Should you need to slide luggage out from the rear, Ford have thoughtfully designed the Fusion with no rear loading lip. The elevated seating position also allows for extra stowage space under the passenger seats, whilst the fascia features a flip-top bin like the Galaxy whilst the main instruments are housed in a neat oval binnacle.

If you can take the Ford Fusion Pursuit for what it is and stop grouching about its lack of any off-road ability, its appeal is clear. The chance to own a good-looking vehicle sporting those en vogue 4x4 design cues without the cumbersome and expensive mechanicals is one that will be attractive to many. Just don't start to believe your own hype and try to take it off road.