Picture this… it’s Sunday night. You’ve had a hectic weekend and are looking forward to some Sunday evening entertainment. There’s only one thing on your mind: Top Gear.
Arguably the best motoring show that ever existed, Top Gear provided endless laughs and insight to petrolheads across the globe.
If you’re considering a re-watch, we’re here to help. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts explores the eight best Top Gear episodes.
Note: This blog excludes all Top Gear specials. If you’re looking for the best specials, check out our blog, The Best Top Gear Specials.
This episode is the last one to feature the iconic trio of Clarkson, Hammond, and May, so we had to put it on the list.
It’s also a superb episode in itself. The trio immerse themselves in the lifestyle of the traditional car enthusiast, which culminates in Hammond being strapped to the back of an aeroplane.
Then, they are challenged to buy high-mileage SUVs before undergoing a series of challenges, which, as you can expect, is hilarious.
Kicking off season 13 was an absolute classic. The episode focuses on the trio racing each other from London to Edinburgh, but in usual Top Gear fashion, there’s a twist.
James May drives a Jaguar XK120, Richard Hammond on a Vincent Blackshadow, and, amazingly, Jeremy Clarkson in a steam train.
The episode also features the Stig unmasked. Yes, you heard that right!
In this episode, the trio attempts to build their own motorhomes, which goes exactly as you would think.
They are then put through various challenges, such as driving down to Cornwall, sleeping a night in them, and changing into a wetsuit inside them.
If you get through this episode without laughing, I tip my hat to you. In this episode, the trio attempt to improve emergency response times by creating their own ambulance.
The episode is filled with all the nonsense and carnage you’d expect.
Daniel Ricciardo also features as the star in a reasonably priced car.
Clarkson, Hammond, and May revisit the amphibious car challenge as they attempt to cross the English Channel to France.
The boys showcase their engineering skills (or not) by producing some pretty good vehicles. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of entertainment, as you’d expect.
The boys head to Ukraine to put three compact, small-engined cars through their paces. Clarkson arrives in a Volkswagen Up, Hammond in a Ford Fiesta, and May in a Dacia Sandero.
However, the boys are in for a shock when they’re tasked with running out of fuel before they get to Chernobyl. In an attempt to lose fuel quickly, the boys pull out all the stops.
To celebrate British Leyland’s 40th anniversary, the producers tasked the trio to buy a 1970s British-made vehicle for £1200 and put them through a range of challenges.
Not only is it a great insight into the British car industry, but the episode is hilarious. The boys are at their mischievous best, which makes the episode a must-watch.
Here it is, the best episode of Top Gear (excluding specials). The 17-year-old challenge is superb entertainment.
The trio pretend to be 17-year-olds as they attempt to buy cars suited to a 17-year-old. However, they have a budget of £2,500, which includes the car and insurance.
They are then put through a range of tasks 17-year-old drivers would find themselves in, such as impressing girls, getting home late without waking your parents up, and fixing the car after it’s been rolled.
Not only on the list because of how funny an episode it is, but we can all relate to some of the goings on!
Looking for more motoring content? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts produces a range of blogs on film and TV, such as The Best Top Gear Specials and the Top Ten Car-Themed Sports Movies.
We are also one of the UK’s largest car leasing brokers, offering a range of leasing deals to suit your every need. For more information, call us on 0345 811 9595.
