The Morning Call and Mcall.com's view

In recent years, Buick has not been first in the hearts of automotive enthusiasts despite the impressive 3.8-liter supercharged engine that lurks under many a hood.

Yet the maker of “Premium American Motorcars” (their words for “cushy American car”) has left it to the mid-size Regal to duke it out with the best of the imports. The car had the features, but the execution seemed wanting. Until 1997, that is.

This year finds the Regal restyled with a lot of sheet metal shared with the new, restyled Buick Century. Despite that sameness, there are many detail differences that make the Regal the better car.

The Century has a soft suspension, bench seat, column shifter, front disc/rear drum brakes and GM’s overly familiar 3.1-liter overhead-valve V6. The Regal has a firmer suspension, bucket seats with console, floor shifter, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, and the truly refined 3.8-liter V6 that sees duty in Buick’s LeSabre, Park Avenue and Riviera.

You can have your Regal two ways, base LS or sportier GS.

Opt for the GS and you’ll get the same 3.8-liter engine, but it’s supercharged. This ups the horsepower from a not shabby 195 to a clearly honkin’ 240. With 280 foot-pounds of torque available, this mill moves this Buick with incredible gusto, pulling mid-six-second acceleration runs. This is incredible for a family sedan with a base price of $22,945. You’d have to spend nearly $40,000 to match its performance from an imported family sedan.

To handle the extra torque, GM beefs up the transmission. This refined automatic, which features adjustable shift points, lets the car glide through the gears as speed builds. All this power is handled well by the GM10 chassis. This chassis and engine also see the light of day in the Pontiac Grand Prix. But unlike its exciting cousin, the Buick is more skewed toward ride comfort. So, instead of harsh slaps, the rider gets treated to refined thunks that never send a shiver through the car or steering column. Previous Regals weren’t so blessed.

Quick steering helps, too. Buick’s magnetic variable-effort power steering is a little vague to those used to Bavarian levels of feel, but it acquits itself nicely. The standard four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes bring things to a quick halt, and have improved pedal feel. Full-range traction control is standard on the Regal GS.

Inside, things are nicer, too. The plastics are of good quality, with nice texture and feel. The fake wood seems misplaced, but the leather gives a luxurious feel. The front seats, though somewhat flat, were comfy over long hauls. Things are much better in the rear, with chair-height seating and good support. Heated driver seats are available.

The sound system is typical of GM, with decent reception and sound. Audiophiles will want to look elsewhere.

The automatic climate control was fast and effective, with separate temperature controls for the driver and passenger sides. It now features an air filtration system.

A couple of minor design details marred an otherwise fine ride. There’s no place for coins or turnpike tickets. The design of the ashtray-storage bin door is especially poor, guaranteed to pinch fingers. There’s no left-foot dead pedal — or space for your foot. The duplicate radio controls are placed poorly on the steering wheel, making it possible to change stations while changing directions.

Yet Buick got other design details right. The trunk hinges are engineered to fit in the rain gutter of the trunk so they don’t take up any space in that already roomy area. Some parts of the handsomely sculpted exterior recall the Lexus ES300. The wheel covers accent the absence of chrome to give a lithe, muscular look. The interior has a modern refined look and the engine, suspension and chassis combine for a thrilling driving experience.

And it’s a Buick. That’s the best part of driving this car. There’s littl doubt you’ll win the stoplight grand prix in this car, an d you’ll love the look on the loser’s face when you do it in a Buick.

Buick Regal GS Standard: 3.8-liter supercharged V6, four-speed electronic automatic transmission, variable-effort power steering, tilt steering wheel, gran touring suspension P225/60R16 tires with 16-inch aluminum wheels, traction control, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, dual air bags, manual dual zone climate control with air filtration system, cruise control, door locks, keyless entry, cornering lamps, AM-FM cassette audio system, remote heated outside mirrors, power windows with driver’s express down, auxiliary power outlet, leather wrapped steering wheel. Options: Prestige Package SF (electrochromatic rear-view mirror, six-way power front bucket seats, trunk convenience net, automatic climate control, steering-wheel-mounted radio controls, rear-window antenna). Base price: $22,945 As tested: $24,555 EPA rating: 18 mpg city city, 28 mpg highway Test mileage: 20 mpg