Top Gear

10 Best Episodes of Top Gear - Season 1

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 what the featured cars are capable of doing. The current hosts are Paddy Mcguinness, Chris Harris and Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 12, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Top Gear - S1E4

#10 - The Best Mid-Sized 2.0L Car (Season 1 - Episode 4)

Jeremy drives two supercars with F1 driver, Damon Hill - the Ferrari 575 M and the Aston Martin Vanquish, both of which feature F1-style paddle-shift gearboxes - and Richard tests some mid-sized two-litre executive cars made by Formula One manufacturers. Later in the show, Jeremy interviews WRC champion, Richard Burns, and Jason gives us tips on buying used skylines. We also get a exclusive look at the new Bond cars, and Steve Coogan is the star in a reasonably priced car.

The episode was rated 7.16 from 180 votes.

Top Gear - S1E2

#9 - Bus Jumping Over Motorbikes (Season 1 - Episode 2)

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Jeremy test-drives the Focus RS, Jason outlines some great deals on the Citroen C5 & Rover 75, and Richard gets a dream come true, driving a Escort RS 1800. Later on, the brand new Noble M12 is track tested, and Hammond finds out how many motorcycles a double-decker bus can jump over. We also see Jay Kay, the Jamiroquai frontman, as the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

The episode was rated 7.33 from 307 votes.

Top Gear - S1E3

#8 - Grannies Doing Doughnuts (Season 1 - Episode 3)

Jeremy Clarkson reviews the new Mini Cooper and the Toyota Yaris Verso; Ross Kemp goes for a spin on the track, the Westfield XTR2 takes on the Pagani Zonda on the track, and some spunky grannies do some doughnuts.

The episode was rated 7.34 from 199 votes.

Top Gear - S1E5

#7 - The Team Turns a Rover 800 Into a Bond Car (Season 1 - Episode 5)

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We get a taste of luxury as Jeremy takes us through the latest Mercedes S-Class & Audi A8; Jason tells us about getting a Peugeot 206 as a second hand buy, and Richard tells us about the Mercedes with more luxury then the S-Class. Jason Dawe gives us some insider dealings, and Clarkson tests the Arnage T, while in the studio we make a Bond car, but with 300 quid. We also get talk show host Johnathan Ross in the Liana.

The episode was rated 7.37 from 195 votes.

Top Gear - S1E1

#6 - The Legacy Begins (Season 1 - Episode 1)

Jeremy Clarkson investigates the car bargain of the year and tests two supercars - the Lamborghini Murcielago and the Pagani Zonda. We get a look at Ford's new supercar, while Richard tells us about the new Mazda 6 and sees if you can outrun a speed camera. We also see if you are able to run a car off of vegetable oil, while Jason reveals the worst tricks used by car dealers, and guest Harry Enfield takes a trip round the Top Gear test track as the first Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car.

The episode was rated 7.45 from 468 votes.

Top Gear - S1E9

#5 - The Stripped-Out Jaguar XJS (Season 1 - Episode 9)

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REVIEWS: Volvo XC90 • Subaru Forester • VW Golf R32 CHALLENGE: Stripped down Jaguar XJS The Radical raced with an aeroplane, the Renault Espace, and the new Subaru Forrester 2.0 XT also feature. The Volkswagen Golf R32, Ford Focus RS, Seat Leon Cupra R and the Honda Civic Type R - all hot hatchbacks compete to see which is the best. Gordon Ramsay is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

The episode was rated 7.54 from 153 votes.

Top Gear - S1E8

#4 - A Lada Gets Turned Into a Lotus (Season 1 - Episode 8)

REVIEWS: Audi RS6 • Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG • Maserati Coupé • Ford Fiesta • Citroën C3 • Honda Jazz • Nissan Micra • MG ZR CHALLENGE: Lada Riva modified by Lotus • Fastest white van man This week: 'driver's cars', the BMW M5 faces the challenge of its rivals, a Lada Riva 1.5E gets a make-over from Lotus and who is Britain's fastest van man? Also featured are the Audi RS6, the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, the new Maserati Coupé and a selection of super-minis: Ford Fiesta, Citroën C3, Honda Jazz, Nissan Micra and MG ZR. Michael Gambon is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

The episode was rated 7.57 from 155 votes.

Top Gear - S1E7

#3 - The Team Finds the Fastest Faith (Season 1 - Episode 7)

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REVIEWS: Saab 9-3 • Lotus Elise 111S CHALLENGE: Fastest faith This episode is dedicated to the environment - Richard tries to drive to work in an eco-friendly way. Jeremy drives a diesel supercar and the search for the fastest religion begins. Cars reviewed include the Saab 93, the Peugeot RC and the Lotus Elise. Jasaon Dawe visits a school with a selection of supercars, to find out which is the children's favourite.

The episode was rated 7.58 from 156 votes.

Top Gear - S1E10

#2 - The Team Finds Out the Fastest Faith - Again (Season 1 - Episode 10)

REVIEWS: Range Rover • Lotus Esprit • Nissan Primera • TVR T350C CHALLENGE: Fastest faith - part 2 This week, a review of 2002 and off-roading. The MTM Bimoto (based on an Audi TT) and the AS One, two German cars try to set the fastest lap on the track and there's the new Range Rover, the original Lotus Esprit and the TVR T350C. Those that couldn't make it into the first race came together for part two of "The Fastest Faith."

The episode was rated 7.68 from 151 votes.

Top Gear - S1E6

#1 - The Grannies Learn How to Handbrake Park (Season 1 - Episode 6)

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REVIEWS: Renault Vel Satis • BMW Z4 • Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG • Honda NSX Type R CHALLENGE: Grannies doing handbrake parking Jason Dawe looks at a used Golf, Jeremy test drives his own car and Richard drives the new BMW Z4 Roadster. The grannies return, this time to see who can master the 'art' of handbreak parking. The cool wall is unveiled.Tara Palmer-Tomkinson is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

The episode was rated 7.71 from 166 votes.

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