Top 10 Top Gear Episodes
With the beloved trio of James May, Jeremy Clarkson, and Richard Hammond calling it quits after 20+ years of presenting a car show together.
That includes multiple years with The Grand Tour as well. Their final special The Grand Tour: One for the Road has inspired me to look back and list out their best…maybe just my favorite episodes of Top Gear.
I chose just to do Top Gear. Though I loved The Grand Tour it was a much different vibe, their specials are all elite, which explains why they moved to a special-only format.
So, here are the ten best episodes of Top Gear with the original holy trinity in chronological order, too hard to rank them.
There are so many great episodes of Top Gear, from the specials to the testing of cars, challenges, and races. This list could include 100 episodes.
British Leylands - Season 10, Episode 7
The boys each buy an old British Leyland for $1,200 to prove they made some good cars back in the day. These vehicles are put through a series of rigorous tests that would be easy in a modern car.
I love this episode because not only are there several moments that always make me laugh, but it also shows the boy’s love of all vehicles, even ones most people wrote off.
The episode also includes a review of the new Aston Martin DBS and Jennifer Saunders is the star in the reasonably priced car.
Britcar 24-Hour Endurance Race – Season 10, Episode 9
Top Gear enters the Britcar 24-Hour Endurance race. Jeremy, James, Richard, and The Sitg all drive as a team using a BMW. At first, many of the other teams want them to screw off because normally, these guys take nothing seriously.
However, this episode is different. The boys (and Stig) actually try, and try very hard. In the end when they actually finish the race Jeremy, gets teary and it’s emotional. They are actually proud of themselves and it’s a rare time they were ambitious and not completely rubbish.
The episode also includes a test drive of the Fiat 500 against some BMXers and a test drive of the Ascari A10 against the Daihatsu Materia. Keith Allen is the star in the reasonably priced car.
Japanese Race (Epic Race Nissan GT-R vs Bullet Train) - Season 11, Episode 4
One of the recurring episode types is a race between Jeremy in a car versus James and Richard in some type of public transit. Many of these episodes could be on here but I chose one to represent them all and I think this is the most entertaining.
Jeremey is in the Nissan GT-R racing James and Richard in public transport across Japan. Watching the boys struggle with language, marveling at the Nissan GT-R. It’s funny and tense in the end with a close finish.
The episode also includes a test drive of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione (a Personal favorite). The stars in the reasonably priced car are British newsreaders Fiona Bruce and Kate Silverton,
Lorry Challenge - Season 12, Episode 1
The boys buy second-hand lorries (Semi-trucks) for 5,000 pounds. Of course, they are put through a series of challenges with hilarious consequences, multiple major mishaps, and injuries.
However, it is actually informative. I gained a new respect for truck drivers and am more conscientious of them on the road.
Porsche 997 GT2 and the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 are tested and Michael Parkinson is the star in the reasonably priced car.
America Road Trip (American Muscle in America) - Season 12, Episode 2
What car show isn’t complete without a road trip? Another popular type of episode is the Road Trip. Here the boys honor American Muscle by taking three modern American muscle cars: A Corvette ZR1, a Dodge Challenger SRT8, and a Cadillac CTS-V; from San Francisco to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. It’s just three dudes who love to go fast enjoying three great American cars.
The episode includes a review of the Abarth 500 Esseesse and Will Young is the star in the reasonably priced car.
Vietnam Special – Season 12, Episode 8
Another popular type of episode is the “special” The boys travel to somewhere in the world and do a series of incredibly difficult challenges. This time they got to Vietnam and ride motorcycles 1,000 miles from Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Long.
Widely considered one of the best episodes in the show’s run, it’s odd that it doesn’t concern cars, but rather motorcycles. Maybe because nothing is more fun than watching the guys struggle, which this episode shows a lot of.
There is no car review or star interview in this episode, generally, there weren’t in the specials.
Perfect Car for 17-Year-Olds - Season 13, Episode 2
Our three lads set out to find the best car for a 17-year-old on a budget of 2,500 pounds, which includes the insurance. I believe this is one of the funniest episodes ever. The challenges are ridiculous, everything goes horribly, and it’s a perfect Top Gear episode.
Also in this episode, Hammond reviews the Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640-4 SV and drag races it against a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition. The Hammond and the Stig drag race a Bugatti Veyron vs a McLaren F1. Stephen Fry is the star in the reasonably priced car.
Top Gear Electric Car - Season 14, Episode 2
Unlike the 24-Hour Britcar race above most of the time the Top Gear boys attempt something ambitious, but it turns out rubbish. This space could’ve been the Hovervan or the Reliant Robin rocketship. I went with the electric car.
Back in 2009, the electric car was still a dream. Jeremy, James, and Richard hate the G-Wiz, so they decide to build their own electric car. How hard can it be? You can imagine how it goes.
The episode includes reviews of the Audi R8 V10 and the Corvette ZR1. Michael Sheen is the star in the reasonably priced car.
Building Motorhomes - Season 15, Episode 4
As we know, our boys hate caravanning. They think it is a boring waste of time and the caravans take up precious road space. So, they build their own motorhomes, converting cars into motorhomes and going on holiday.
This and the last episode on this list are, in my opinion, the funniest episodes in the show’s run. Hearing James laugh is so infectious. My wife and I have fired up certain scenes from this episode on YouTube for a laugh. If you want to get someone into this show, this would be the episode to start with.
The episode also includes a test of the Audi R8 V10 Spyder and the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet. Andy Garcia is the star in the reasonably priced car.
Homemade Ambulance Challenge - Season 22, Episode 3
In the final series with our three fearless leaders. They put out some of the best episodes. The best of which is the boys build their own ambulances because they believe they can build better ones to navigate traffic.
The challenges these ambulances are put through are hilarious. “Hammond you blithering idiot” runs through my head daily.” “Trust in me.” Has become part of my daily lexicon. Gun t my head I would name this my favorite episode.
The episode also includes no car review, but also personal favorite ex-F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo takes a spin around the track. Throughout the show’s run, they have an F1 driver’s guest. These drivers use the same car to set lap times going against their peers instead of other stars.
