The Ultimate Top Gear Episodes Guide
The Ultimate Top Gear Episodes Guide: Must-Watch Moments from the Legendary Show
For over two decades, Top Gear has been the gold standard for automotive entertainment, blending humor, high-speed stunts, and in-depth reviews with a perfect mix of wit and passion. Hosted by legends like Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May (and later Matt LeBlanc, Chris Harris, and Rory Reid), the show has produced countless unforgettable episodes. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer, this guide will take you through some of the most iconic moments, standout episodes, and the evolution of Top Gear over the years.
—
The Evolution of Top Gear: From Classic to Modern
Top Gear has undergone significant changes since its debut in 1977, but its core appeal, fast cars, bold challenges, and sharp banter, has remained constant. Here’s a quick breakdown of its key eras:
1977, 1991: The Original Era (Series 1, 10)
- Hosted by Hamish McKay, Chris Harris, and Matt LeBlanc (later joined by Jeremy Clarkson in 1991).
- Focused on road tests, car reviews, and humorous segments rather than extreme stunts.
- Known for witty commentary and affectionate yet critical reviews of British and international cars.
- Notable Moment: The infamous “Maserati Biturbo” review (1988), where Clarkson famously declared it “the best car in the world.”
1991, 2015: The Clarkson-Hammond-May Era (Series 11, 22)
- Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May became the face of Top Gear.
- Introduced high-octane challenges, including road trips, extreme driving tests, and celebrity cameos.
- Iconic Segments:
- “The Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” (where celebrities drove budget cars).
- “The Ultimate Off-Road Challenge” (featuring epic desert and mountain trials).
- “The Biggest Car Ever Made” (a recurring segment testing oversized vehicles).
- Notable Episodes:
- “The Star in a Reasonably Priced Car: 2010” (featuring Michael Caine, Hugh Laurie, and Johnny Vegas).
- “The Ultimate Off-Road Challenge: The Sahara” (2007).
- “The Biggest Car Ever Made: The 1959 Lincoln Continental” (2011).
2015, Present: The New Era (Series 23, Present)
- After Clarkson’s suspension and eventual departure (due to a workplace incident), Top Gear was rebooted with Matt LeBlanc, Chris Harris, and Rory Reid.
- The tone shifted slightly, less stunts, more practical driving tests and celebrity interviews.
- Key Changes:
- No more extreme challenges (e.g., no more “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car”).
- More focus on sustainability and electric vehicles.
- Celebrity cameos (e.g., Dwayne Johnson, Emma Watson, and Idris Elba).
- Notable Episodes:
- “The Return of the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” (2016, featuring Dwayne Johnson).
- “The Ultimate EV Challenge” (2020, testing electric supercars).
- “The World’s Best-Selling Car: The Toyota Corolla” (2021).
—
The Most Iconic Top Gear Episodes You Can’t Miss
While every episode of Top Gear has something memorable, these stand out as essential viewing for any fan.
1. “The Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” (2010)
- Why It’s Legendary: This episode features three legendary British actors, Michael Caine, Hugh Laurie, and Johnny Vegas, driving £10,000 (or less) cars in a 1,000-mile road trip from London to the Scottish Highlands.
- Key Moments:
- Michael Caine struggles with a Vauxhall Astra, complaining about its “tiny” size.
- Hugh Laurie (as Dr. House) takes the Peugeot 207, joking about its “boring” reliability.
- Johnny Vegas drives the Ford Fiesta, calling it “the most fun car ever made.”
- Car Performance: Despite their complaints, all three drivers admired the cars’ practicality and efficiency.
2. “The Ultimate Off-Road Challenge: The Sahara” (2007)
- Why It’s Legendary: Clarkson, Hammond, and May travel to the Sahara Desert to test off-road capabilities in extreme conditions.
- Key Moments:
- The Land Rover Defender holds its own against sand dunes and rock formations.
- Richard Hammond nearly gets stranded when his Mercedes G-Class gets bogged down.
- James May struggles with a Toyota Hilux, but ultimately admires its simplicity.
- Epic Stunts:
- Driving through sand dunes at high speed.
- Climbing a rocky mountain pass in a Land Rover.
- A dramatic rescue scene when Hammond’s car stalls.
3. “The Biggest Car Ever Made: The 1959 Lincoln Continental” (2011)
- Why It’s Legendary: This episode tests the world’s largest cars in a head-to-head battle of size, comfort, and performance.
- Key Moments:
- The 1959 Lincoln Continental (a 6.4-meter-long luxury beast) dominates the test with luxury and power.
- The Mercedes-Benz Unimog (a massive work truck) struggles with maneuverability.
- Clarkson’s famous line: “It’s like driving a small boat in a swimming pool.”
- Fun Fact: The Lincoln Continental was so big that it struggled to fit in some garages!
4. “The Star in a Reasonably Priced Car: 2016 (Dwayne Johnson)” (2016)
- Why It’s Legendary: After Clarkson’s departure, Top Gear brought back the Star segment, this time with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson driving a £10,000 Hyundai i30.
- Key Moments:
- The Rock struggles with the car’s manual transmission, joking that he “should have gotten a Tesla.”
- Matt LeBlanc and Chris Harris tease him mercilessly for his lack of driving experience.
- Final Verdict: Despite his complaints, he admits the i30 is a great car.
- Why It Worked: Johnson’s charisma and humor made this one of the best celebrity segments in the new era.
5. “The Ultimate EV Challenge” (2020)
- Why It’s Legendary: With the rise of electric vehicles, this episode tests the best EVs in a real-world challenge.
- Key Moments:
- Tesla Model S Plaid dominates acceleration and range.
- Porsche Taycan proves it’s a true sports car.
- BMW i4 struggles slightly in cold weather but still performs well.
- Clarkson’s Return (Sort Of): Though Clarkson wasn’t on set, his voiceover commentary added nostalgia to the episode.
- Why It Matters: This episode showed that EVs are now serious competitors to traditional supercars.
—
The Most Memorable Top Gear Moments (Beyond Episodes)
While episodes are the backbone of Top Gear, some individual moments have become legendary:
1. The “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” (2004) , Michael Schumacher
- The Moment: F1 legend Michael Schumacher drives a £10,000 Ford Focus ST.
- Why It’s Iconic: Schumacher struggles with the manual transmission and complains about the car’s weight, but admires its handling.
2. The “Biggest Car Ever Made” (2009) , The 1959 Lincoln Continental vs. The Mercedes-Benz Unimog
- The Moment: Clarkson pokes fun at the Unimog’s size, calling it “a truck that thinks it’s a car.”
- Why It’s Iconic: The Lincoln’s sheer size and luxury make it the clear winner in the test.