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The Best Episodes of Top Gear

Every episode of Top Gear ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Top Gear!

Binge this in 9d 12h•Peaking at 9.4/10

This fast-paced and stunt-filled motor show tests whether cars, both mundane and extraordinary, live up to their manufacturers' claims. The long-running show travels to locations around the world, performing extreme stunts and challenges to see

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Top Gear Season 12 Episode 8 - Vietnam Special
    9.4/10(1521 votes)

    #1 - Vietnam Special

    S12:E8

    Arriving in Vietnam, Jeremy, Richard and James have to travel the entire length of the country in just eight days. But first they have to buy some suitable transport for the trip, and despite having several million Dong in their pockets, this proves to be rather more difficult than they expected, especially in one of the most expensive car markets in the world.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Top Gear Season 22 Episode 8 - Episode 8
    9.4/10(1348 votes)

    #2 - Episode 8

    S22:E8

    A special 75-minute episode featuring the last two recorded segments from Series 22. In the first, Jeremy, Richard and James immerse themselves in the lifestyle of the traditional classic car enthusiast. In the second segment, Clarkson, Hammond and May try to become lifestyle leisure enthusiasts with the help of some incredibly cheap lifestyle leisure vehicles.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Top Gear Season 14 Episode 6 - Bolivia Special
    9.3/10(1218 votes)

    #3 - Bolivia Special

    S14:E6

    Jeremy, Richard and James are dropped deep in the Bolivian rainforest armed only with three shabby 4x4s which they bought untested over the internet from local small ads for a maximum of 3500 pounds each. They attempt to drive them from the heart of Bolivia to the coast of Chile, encountering local drug lords, the debilitating effects of high altitude and the terrifying sheer drops of the infamous Death Road along the way.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Top Gear Season 19 Episode 6 - Africa Special (1)
    9.2/10(1219 votes)

    #4 - Africa Special (1)

    S19:E6

    In the first of a two-part Top Gear special, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are in Africa with a simple mission - to find the definitive source of the Nile. Over the years many explorers claim to have already done just that, but the Top Gear trio believe that they can do better by travelling further and faster than any exploration team in history using only grit, ingenuity and three ageing estate cars.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Top Gear Season 19 Episode 7 - Africa Special (2)
    9.2/10(1093 votes)

    #5 - Africa Special (2)

    S19:E7

    In the second part of the Top Gear special, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May continue their epic African odyssey. Having survived insane traffic, lethal mudslides and some distinctly dubious map reading, the trio and their ailing estate cars reach the climax of their quest to find the definitive source of the Nile.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Top Gear Season 21 Episode 7 - Burma Special (2)
    9.2/10(1143 votes)

    #6 - Burma Special (2)

    S21:E7

    Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May continue their journey in three ancient and barely functioning trucks, heading toward their final challenge - building a bridge over River Kwai in Thailand. Having climbed mountains and endured a Burmese trucker stop, they must now venture into the Shan state, an area rife with civil war and normally closed to Western TV crews.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Top Gear

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  7. Top Gear Season 10 Episode 4 - Botswana Special
    9.1/10(1043 votes)

    #7 - Botswana Special

    S10:E4

    The boys travel to Africa with a mission: they must each buy a car – but not a 4x4 – for no more than £1,500. They must then drive the cars they buy across fairly unforgiving terrain in Botswana. Also, Stig’s African cousin makes an appearance.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Top Gear Season 21 Episode 6 - Burma Special (1)
    9.1/10(1178 votes)

    #8 - Burma Special (1)

    S21:E6

    In the first of the all-new two-part special, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May are on a mission to build a bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand. However, in order to do so, they must first drive across a country that has been largely closed to Westerners for over 40 years: Burma. The trio must make this trip in three trucks that have been bought for a limited budget. Unsurprisingly, they are not quite as the presenters might have hoped or expected…What follows is an epic journey of beautiful scenery, regular adversity, ongoing malfunction, and the constant bickering between the three hosts.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Top Gear Season 15 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    9.0/10(666 votes)

    #9 - Episode 4

    S15:E4

    The team attempt to build some interesting motor homes before setting off for a Bank Holiday weekend in the West Country to see how what that they have created holds up. Jeremy test drives the new Audi R8 V10 Spyder and the latest version of Porsche's enduring 911 Turbo cabriolet to see how they compare. Andy Garcia is the Star in the Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Top Gear Season 9 Episode 3 - USA Special
    8.9/10(833 votes)

    #10 - USA Special

    S9:E3

    In this American special, Jeremy, James and Richard are on a fly-drive holiday with a difference. Instead of hiring a car, each has to buy a car for no more than $1000. Starting in Miami, they travel through Mississippi and Alabama and end their journey in New Orleans.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Top Gear Season 13 Episode 1 - Episode 1
    8.9/10(482 votes)

    #11 - Episode 1

    S13:E1

    A race from London and Edinburgh using three different modes of transport. Jeremy will take the Tornado, a modern steam train; James drives the exquisite Jaguar XK120 and Richard rides the Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle. Finally the Stig is revealed (or is he?)

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Top Gear Season 8 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    8.8/10(426 votes)

    #12 - Episode 3

    S8:E3

    Jeremy, James and Richard each design their own amphibious vehicle and test it on a Stafforshire reservoir. Jeremy has a Toyota Hilux, James a Triumph Herald with a sail and Richard has a Volkswagen camper van painted to resemble a canal boat. The new Lotus Exige S is given the freedom of the Top Gear track and Philip Glenister is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Top Gear Season 10 Episode 2 - Episode 2
    8.8/10(461 votes)

    #13 - Episode 2

    S10:E2

    James, Richard and Jeremy attempt to cross the Channel to France in their amphibious vehicles from series 8. Jeremy drives the rather sexy Audi R8 on the track, while Richard prefers the Porsche Carrera 2S. Jools Holland is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Top Gear Season 15 Episode 5 - Episode 5
    8.8/10(469 votes)

    #14 - Episode 5

    S15:E5

    Richard takes the Volkswagen Touareg 4x4 to Sweden for a race against some snowmobilers. James travels to Germany where he attempts to break his personal speed record in a brand-new version of the Bugatti Veyron. Jeremy Clarkson looks at the reasons why Ayrton Senna is considered the best driver of his generation.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Top Gear Season 17 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    8.8/10(511 votes)

    #15 - Episode 4

    S17:E4

    The presenters manage to finally find a good use for caravans after they try to make train travel cost less, faster and more interesting. Rowan Atkinson is the celebrity behind the wheel of the Reasonably Priced Car this week. Jeremy gets the chance to test drive the Jaguar XKR-S and the updated Nissan GT-R to compare the two cars.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Top Gear Season 22 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    8.8/10(723 votes)

    #16 - Episode 3

    S22:E3

    The boys attempt to improve emergency response times by creating their own ambulances. Daniel Ricciardo is a star in a reasonably priced car.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Top Gear Season 10 Episode 9 - Episode 9
    8.7/10(372 votes)

    #17 - Episode 9

    S10:E9

    Jeremy, James and Richard take part in Britcar 24, a 24-endurance race at Silverstone. James travels to Budapest to race the new Fiat 500 against boys on BMXs and Stig takes the Ascari A10 around the Top Gear track for a Power Lap. Keith Allen is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Edward Bazalgette
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Top Gear Season 20 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    8.7/10(483 votes)

    #18 - Episode 4

    S20:E4

    Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May bring relief to flood-stricken areas of Britain by building a car that can turn into a hovercraft. After a bumpy start, the presenters demonstrate the brilliance of their creation with an eventful journey down the River Avon. Also in this show, Jeremy is on the track in the insane Mercedes SLS Black and the 739 horsepower SLS Electric, while Hollywood star Hugh Jackman is the star in the Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Top Gear Season 22 Episode 6 - Episode 6
    8.7/10(639 votes)

    #19 - Episode 6

    S22:E6

    Richard Hammond goes to a mountain in Canada to test a watch. Jeremy Clarkson and James May will try to save him in two American cars. Jeremy Clarkson tests the new car from Lexus.

    Director:Phil Churchward
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Top Gear Season 10 Episode 7 - Episode 7
    8.6/10(385 votes)

    #20 - Episode 7

    S10:E7

    To celebrate 40 years of British Leyland, Jeremy, James and Richard find three cars made by B.L. that weren't that bad after all. There's a look at some beach buggies and for people who like cars - the new Aston Martin DBS. Jennifer Saunders is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Edward Bazalgette
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Top Gear Season 13 Episode 2 - Episode 2
    8.6/10(433 votes)

    #21 - Episode 2

    S13:E2

    Jeremy, James and Richard attempt to find the perfect car for a 17 year-old. Normal service resumes in Abu Dhabi with Richard, a Lamborghini Murcielago SV and a race between a Bugatti Veyron and a McLaren F1. Stephen Fry is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Top Gear Season 20 Episode 5 - Episode 5
    8.6/10(444 votes)

    #22 - Episode 5

    S20:E5

    Jeremy Clarkson and James May investigate an increasingly popular type of tall hatchback often referred to as a 'crossover'. After deducing that these cars are designed entirely to appeal to caravanners, the pair pick examples from Mazda and Volkswagen then use them to spend a couple of days living like the kind of person who would buy one. Meanwhile, Richard Hammond is in Italy driving a pair of Lamborghinis, the sensational Aventador Roadster and a 2 million pound, 570 horsepower riot of carbon fibre and space age styling called the Sesto Elemento. Plus, James May is at the test track to drive a modern recreation of the classic Porsche 911 and Aerosmith legend Steven Tyler is the rock star in the Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Top Gear Season 22 Episode 1 - Episode 1
    8.6/10(703 votes)

    #23 - Episode 1

    S22:E1

    Jeremy drives a hover van, James a car, Richard goes by bike and The Stig uses public transport in a race through St Petersburg. Ed Sheeran is the guest and Richard tests the new Lamborghini Huracan.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Top Gear Season 9 Episode 6 - Episode 6
    8.5/10(416 votes)

    #24 - Episode 6

    S9:E6

    A stretch limo, why hire one when you can make your own? Step forward the Top Gear boys who do just that. On the track, two Ford Mustangs. Have the Americans finally built a car that deserves more than pointing and giggling from smug Europeans? Billie Piper is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Edward Bazalgette
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Top Gear Season 10 Episode 5 - Episode 5
    8.5/10(366 votes)

    #25 - Episode 5

    S10:E5

    The guys race each other using a bike, a boat and a car, to find the fastest way across London. The Stig drives the Caparo T1 in an attempt to beat the long-standing fastest time set by the Koenigsegg. Richard regains the will to live by racing an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster against a man with rockets strapped to his back. Simon Cowell is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Vietnam Special" is the best rated episode of "Top Gear". It scored 9.4/10 based on 1521 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 12/28/2008. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Episode 8".