When Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May moved from the BBC’s Top Gear to launch The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime in 2016, expectations were sky-high. Fans wanted the same mix of exotic locations, outrageous challenges and laugh-out-loud chemistry that had made the trio household names.
With 6 series and a growing list of specials, The Grand Tour has given us everything from supercar showdowns and epic off-road adventures to boat journeys, dune crossings and even lockdown road trips across Scotland.
Since it is almost the 1-year anniversary since we saw the trailer for the final episode, The Grand Tour: One For The Road, we thought we would take a trip down memory lane and rank the show with our definitive list.
1. The Holy Trinity (Series 1, Episode 1)
The debut episode set the tone perfectly. Clarkson, Hammond and May started in California with an emotional sequence showing Clarkson leaving London in a Ford Mustang, joined by Hammond and May in their own cars as thousands of petrolheads drove with them to a festival in the desert.
The real highlight was the hypercar test: the McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder — cars that had never been tested head-to-head on TV before. Shot on the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal, it was as much a cinematic experience as a car test. The banter was on point, the cinematography stunning, and the stakes enormous.
Why it’s great: This was the episode that reassured fans the trio hadn’t lost their touch after Top Gear. It felt both familiar and fresh, with Amazon’s big budget clear from the start.
2. Funeral for a Ford (Series 3, Episode 14)
The finale of Series 3 wasn’t just another Grand Tour episode — it was a love letter to one of the most important cars in British motoring history: the Ford Mondeo. With Ford announcing the end of Mondeo production, Clarkson, Hammond and May set out to give it the send-off it deserved.
Each presenter chose a classic fast Ford for a road trip through Britain. Clarkson opted for a Ford Escort Cosworth, Hammond for a Fiesta XR2i, and May for a Ford Cortina. The journey wasn’t just about the cars themselves, but about the role Fords had played in their lives — from first cars to family memories.
Along the way, they reminisced about Ford’s dominance of the British car market, the company’s motorsport pedigree, and the cultural significance of models like the Capri, Sierra and Escort. The episode balanced the usual humour and mischief with a surprisingly poignant narrative.
The closing montage, set against Ford’s history and the trio’s commentary, struck a rare emotional note. For many viewers, it was one of the most heartfelt episodes Clarkson, Hammond, and May had ever produced.
3. Up, Down and Round the Farm (Series 2, Episode 5)
This mid-series episode perfectly combined serious car tests, outrageous challenges and a special guest appearance from rally legend Ken Block. Clarkson started with a review of the Lexus LC500 — a striking Japanese grand tourer powered by a naturally aspirated V8. He praised its style and performance but couldn’t resist poking fun at its practicality compared to European rivals.
James May followed with the futuristic BMW i8 Roadster, showcasing hybrid technology and gullwing doors. True to form, Clarkson and Hammond mocked May for prioritising sophistication over raw driving thrills. Meanwhile, Hammond took on the monstrous Ford F-150 Raptor, testing it as a rugged, high-speed farm vehicle. Naturally, this led to a series of farm-based challenges: muddy fields, impromptu obstacle courses, and plenty of destruction.
The episode’s standout moment came courtesy of Ken Block, who joined the trio to demonstrate his incredible rally-driving skills. Watching Block drift, jump and tear across the farm roads was not only thrilling but provided the presenters with a healthy dose of chaos — and plenty of envy.
4. Past, Present or Future (Series 2, Episode 1)
This episode took the presenters to Croatia for a supercar showdown that summed up three very different approaches to modern performance. Clarkson brought along the Lamborghini Aventador S, representing the “past” with its glorious naturally aspirated V12 and old-school brutality. May chose the Honda NSX, the “present”, with its clever hybrid technology and everyday usability. Hammond, meanwhile, went for the Rimac Concept One, a fully electric hypercar pointing to the “future”.
The contrast between the cars made for brilliant television. Clarkson mocked the complexity of the NSX, Hammond boasted about his electric acceleration, and May argued that progress doesn’t have to kill the driving experience. The Croatian backdrop offered stunning roads and scenery, with plenty of high-speed action and inevitable mishaps along the way.
The episode is perhaps most famous for Hammond’s terrifying crash in the Rimac. While filming a hillclimb, he lost control and rolled off the road, narrowly escaping with serious injuries. The accident added an unexpected and very real sense of danger, though the team handled it with their usual dark humour afterwards.
The Grand Tour Specials Ranked
1. The Grand Tour: One for the Road (Series 5, Episode 1)
The final Grand Tour special, filmed in Zimbabwe, instantly became a fan favourite — and for good reason. Billed as Clarkson, Hammond and May’s last ever adventure together, it blended nostalgia, humour and genuinely moving moments with the chaos we’ve all come to love.
The trio set off across stunning African landscapes in three very different vehicles, putting both themselves and their cars through punishing challenges. From river crossings and mechanical breakdowns to the classic “let’s make each other’s life as difficult as possible” antics, it had all the ingredients of a vintage Grand Tour special.
But what set One for the Road apart was the sense of finality. This wasn’t just another road trip — it was a farewell to nearly two decades of Clarkson, Hammond and May’s adventures together on TV. The chemistry was still razor-sharp, the laughs came thick and fast, but there was also a heartfelt undertone as they reflected on their journey.
Why it’s great: It’s not only one of the funniest, most entertaining Grand Tour episodes, but also the most important. As the curtain fell on their Amazon adventure, One for the Road delivered a perfect send-off — emotional, hilarious and unforgettable.
2. A Massive Hunt (Series 4, Episode 2)
Filmed in Madagascar, this special had Clarkson, Hammond and May attempting to find hidden treasure. To do so, they modified their cars for one of the toughest road conditions in the world. Clarkson chose a Bentley Continental GT and turned it into an off-road tank, Hammond went for a Ford Focus RS, while May opted for a Caterham — probably the worst possible choice for Madagascar’s rocky terrain.
The infamous “Road of Bones” section showed just how brutal the environment was. Mechanical failures, exhaustion and constant ribbing between the presenters made this one of the most authentic and entertaining adventures they’ve ever filmed.
3. Seamen (Series 4, Episode 1)
Breaking from tradition, this special ditched cars entirely. Clarkson, Hammond and May each chose boats to navigate Vietnam and Cambodia via the Mekong Delta. Clarkson had a military-style patrol boat, Hammond a speedboat, and May a wooden sailboat.
The result was chaos: engine failures, storms, logistical nightmares and the presenters' way out of their comfort zones. It proved that The Grand Tour could still surprise viewers.
4. Lochdown (Series 4, Episode 3)
Filmed during Covid restrictions, the trio had to stay in the UK. Their challenge: drive classic American cars across the Scottish Highlands. Clarkson had a Lincoln Continental, Hammond a Buick Riviera, and May a Cadillac Coupe de Ville.
Despite being stuck closer to home, the episode delivered stunning scenery, plenty of breakdowns and the trio’s trademark silliness. From questionable roadside repairs to makeshift “Covid caravans”, it became a surprisingly charming special.
5. Eurocrash (Series 5, Episode 2)
A more recent special, Eurocrash saw the presenters drive from Poland to Slovenia. Clarkson picked a Mitsuoka Le-Seyde (a bizarre Japanese neo-classic), Hammond a Subaru Impreza WRX, and May a Caterham Seven.
The road trip delivered classic moments: speeding on empty Polish highways, awkward encounters at borders, and May inevitably breaking down. It felt like a throwback to the best of the old Top Gear specials.
6. Sand Job (Series 5, Episode 3)
In Mauritania, the team took on the Sahara Desert in modified cars. Endless dunes, scorching heat and poor planning made survival — let alone driving — a challenge.
Hammond’s car broke down repeatedly, Clarkson complained endlessly about sand in everything, and May struggled to keep up. It was exactly what fans wanted: difficult conditions, questionable vehicles and plenty of comedy.
7. Carnage A Trois (Series 4, Episode 4)
A French-themed special that explored French motoring culture, from the quirks of the Citroën 2CV to Renault’s quirky history. Along the way, the presenters tested France’s oddball approach to car design before staging a spectacular demolition finale involving dozens of French vehicles.
It was tongue-in-cheek, eccentric and full of trademark Clarkson jibes.
8. Colombia Special (Series 3, Episodes 2 & 3)
This two-parter had the presenters searching for the perfect car to take photos of wildlife across Colombia. Clarkson drove a Jeep Wrangler, Hammond a Chevrolet Silverado, and May a Fiat Panda 4x4.
Along the way, they encountered toucans, hippos and difficult roads — all while bickering relentlessly. The mix of travelogue and cars gave it a unique flavour.