One of the tricky challenges of testing and reviewing cars each week is making the switch from one automotive segment to another. Imagine a food critic sampling a Morton’s strip steak one week, then assessing McDonald’s latest burger the next.

Let’s face it: It’s unjust to let a recent review of a luxury ride influence your views on this week’s fuel-miser economy model.

Once in a while, however, there is a pleasant surprise. That happened when I emerged from a $200,000 Bentley Continental GT to drive the far more affordable Chrysler 300C. That’s saying a bundle.

Now I won’t pretend to compare these two pound for pound, but I will say that the 300’s drive, newly luxurious interior and back-seat roominess had me quickly making comparisons. Hey, someone did once call the 300 America’s small Bentley.

From the outside, many will not notice astonishing changes. But know that the 2011 300C represents a major overhaul. Chrysler says it has revised nearly every major component.

It retains the square, angular look but the lines have been softened just a bit. The windshield is raked back more but, overall, I think it manages to keep the muscular look while attaining a higher level of sophistication. And LEDs now light the way in the headlight cluster.

But it’s inside where the real renaissance took place. Style, function, and the quality of materials are all a brickload better. Everything you lay a hand or finger on just feels better: The center stack, the dash, the door panels.

Instruments are bright and clear and easy to read, especially the new speedometer and tach. The navigation system, too, has new and bigger numbers and graphics upon its 8.4-inch touch screen.

The thick, leather- and wood-trimmed steering wheel felt too thick at first but is easy to get used to. The buttons on the wheel even feel like they have more snap this time around.

Seats are comfortable and headroom, legroom and shoulder room are abundant. In fact, with all this comfort and plush materials, you’ll think you are in one of those really pricey models. Back seat room is decent, too.

Trunk space won’t blow you away but is an acceptable 16.3 cubic feet, plenty for the golf clubs or $150 worth of groceries. Of course, $150 of groceries fits in smaller spaces every year.

On the road, the rear-wheel-drive 300C is a smooth and quiet excursion. It is truly a touring car; steering feedback alone will remind you this is not meant to be a sport sedan. Still, the Touring suspension is firmer this year and displays less roll on the curves. The base suspension is more geared to comfort.

There’s no lack of power when it comes to the 5.7-liter V-8 Hemi. Little changed from last year, it puts out 363 hp and can get up and go to 60 mph in under six seconds.

But, pardon me, the new Pentastar V-6 with variable valve timing deserves serious consideration, too. This is a wonderful 3.6-liter powerplant that replaces the lackadaisical sixes of last year. Carting along 292 horses, it tops even the better of last season’s V-6s by 42 horses.

Speed for both engines is regulated by the same five-speed tranny, but Chrysler has said an eight-speed is on tap for later this year. That should better the mileage figures of 15 city, 18 highway for the Hemi and 23-27 mpg for the V-6.

Of course, you can shift yourself by tapping the shifter side to side. But I can’t imagine many would be interested.

All 300s come with ABS, stability and traction control, driver knee and side curtain air bags. Back-up camera is standard on all but the base. Pay more for a terrific SafetyTec package that includes blind-spot warning, front and rear parking sensors and collision warning.

The base 300 gets plenty of goodies: keyless entry, eight-way power seats and four-way lumbar adjustments, tilt and telescoping leather-wrapped wheel, a touch-screen info center and six-speaker sound system — not to mention the audio jack and iPod connection.

The Limited gets 18-inch wheels, rear-view camera with a host of options like memory seats, heated and cooled cup holders and a power rear sunshade.

If you have an extra $7,000 lying around, The 300C includes the luxury package plus a V-8 Hemi engine, upgraded info system with navigation and better brakes and suspension. All-wheel-drive is available and it adds 19-inch wheels rather than the 18-inchers on the Limited.

From the outside, the revisions to the Chrysler 300 aren’t dazzling. But, inside, the fit and finish and quality of materials is impressive. It could just make you feel good enough to offer a wink and a nod when that Bentley goes cruising by.

2011 Chrysler 300 sedan

Base price: $27,995

Limited: $31,995

300C: $38,995 ($41,145 with all-wheel-drive)

Type: Luxury sedan

Engine: 5.7-liter V-8 Hemi with 363 horsepower, or 3.6-liter V-6 with 292 horsepower

Mileage: V-6: 23 mpg city, 27 mpg highway; V-8 Hemi: 15 mpg city, 18 mpg highway