In only its second model year, the Buick Verano is back with a turbocharger. A 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo (lifted from the Regal GS) that makes 250 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque has been mounted in a new top-tier trim, the Premium, giving this compact luxury sedan an edge on the roadway. For the Base, Convenience and Leather trims, the 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder with 180 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque will have to suffice. Both powertrains are front-wheel-drive and also include a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Premium will offer the option of a manual transmission (manufactured exclusively for the Verano by GM) at no additional charge. In spite of all its power, the Verano is not being sold as a sports car. The Premium keeps its bling to a minimum, with only a small T badge, shiny metal pedals and dual exhaust pipes to differentiate it from its platform-mates. All lines of trim also come fitted with the same 18-inch wheels. Aside from a few tweaks to the waterfall grille, the Verano exterior is essentially unchanged from 2012. And even though it’s 100 pounds heavier than the other trims, the Premium is a full 2.1 seconds faster, with a 0-to-60 of 6.2 (a split-second quicker than the Regal GS). That’s more than enough to give the impatient driver the edge when the light turns green. And speaking of green, buyers will save some with an estimated 20 mpg city/31 highway. The suspension has been modified ever so slightly, and the steering has been recalibrated for the turbo level, making it more responsive on the road. All trims come with smartphone Bluetooth integration via IntelliLink, as well as a USB port, fog lights, rear-view camera (new for this year) and dual-zone climate control. The Convenience adds a tilting sunroof and parking assist, while the Leather adds heated leather seats for the driver and front passenger. The new Premium level gives you all the goods. Safety features include a host of airbags, including frontal and knee airbags for driver and passenger, as well as antilock brakes and parking assist. And the Verano is still reasonably priced, given all its features. It promises to go head-to-head with its closest competitor, the Acura ILX 2.4 in terms of bang-for-buck. Buick is hoping to tap into the niche of buyers willing to fork over a bit more of their paychecks to ride in something more stylish than a Ford Focus.