With the Grand Tour finale, One For The Road, airing on Friday 13th September, we take a trip down memory lane and rank the best Top Gear Specials. Sunday night on BBC Two was the highlight of each week, with the trio taking on numerous automotive challenges. Top Gear has long been celebrated for its wild road trips, eccentric challenges, and the hilarious antics of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. The show's specials take this to the next level, whisking the trio off to far-flung destinations for some of the most entertaining television ever produced. Let’s look at the best Top Gear specials that delivered adventure, chaos, and plenty of laughs.
9. Bolivia Special (Season 14, Episode 6)
The Bolivia Special is one of the most intense episodes in Top Gear's long history. Beginning in the humid depths of the Amazon rainforest, the trio is tasked with navigating some of the most treacherous and inhospitable terrains imaginable. After purchasing second-hand 4x4s online, they begin their adventure on a perilous barge down the river, before embarking on a journey that takes them through dense jungle, high-altitude mountains, and the infamous Death Road – a narrow cliffside track notorious for its dangerous conditions.
The challenge of adapting their old 4x4s to the harsh conditions becomes immediately clear. Hammond’s Toyota Land Cruiser constantly battles overheating issues, May’s Suzuki Jimny struggles with the altitude, and Clarkson’s Range Rover seems to be falling apart from the very start. The tension is real as they inch their way along the Death Road, where one false move could mean plunging thousands of feet to their demise. Alongside the danger, the special is packed with the kind of camaraderie and humour that make Top Gear so special, culminating in a thrilling and visually stunning finale as they conquer the towering Andes.
8. Botswana Special (Season 10, Episode 4)
The Botswana Special is widely regarded as one of the most heartwarming and picturesque episodes of Top Gear. Rather than opting for typical off-road vehicles, Clarkson, Hammond, and May choose second-hand everyday cars that cost less than £1,500 to tackle one of the toughest environments in Africa. Their journey takes them from the breathtaking Makgadikgadi salt flats, through dense bushland, to the Kalahari Desert – all without 4x4s.
Each presenter picks a vehicle they believe will outlast the rigours of Botswana. Clarkson’s car of choice is a dilapidated Lancia Beta Coupe, a model notorious for rusting. May opts for a trusty Mercedes-Benz 230E, while Hammond falls in love with a 1963 Opel Kadett, which he affectionately names “Oliver.” Hammond’s deep attachment to “Oliver” becomes one of the emotional cores of the episode, with viewers rooting for the little car to make it through the many trials they face.
The special’s charm lies in its simplicity. With no major modifications to their cars, the team relies on their wits and driving skill to cross rivers, withstand desert heat, and avoid breakdowns. The picturesque African landscapes, coupled with the team’s banter and surprisingly successful cars, make this episode a true gem in Top Gear's history.
7. Polar Special (Season 9, Episode 7)
The Polar Special marks a monumental moment in Top Gear history, as Clarkson and May attempt to become the first people to reach the Magnetic North Pole by car. This episode is nothing short of extraordinary – a testament to human ingenuity, sheer willpower, and the power of a properly modified Toyota Hilux. Meanwhile, Richard Hammond, showing off his competitive spirit, embarks on the same mission via a dog sled, adding a dramatic human-versus-machine dynamic to the special.
The episode is a logistical nightmare from the outset, as Clarkson and May deal with freezing temperatures, unpredictable ice formations, and the constant risk of the vehicle breaking down in the middle of nowhere. The Arctic conditions push both the car and its drivers to the limit. The modification of the Hilux – including snow tracks and heated components – plays a crucial role in their journey, but not without some hiccups. Clarkson and May’s teamwork (or lack thereof) is hilariously on display as they bicker over navigation, survival strategies, and their liberal consumption of gin while driving across the ice.
What makes the Polar Special so iconic is the genuine sense of achievement it delivers. Despite the comedic moments and light-hearted atmosphere, reaching the North Pole by car is a real triumph, and the stunning icy vistas are unforgettable. This episode remains one of the most visually captivating and technically impressive Top Gear specials ever filmed.
6. Vietnam Special (Season 12, Episode 8)
The Vietnam Special stands out for its sheer beauty and cultural immersion, offering something truly different from the more rugged, off-road specials. In this episode, Clarkson, Hammond, and May are tasked with traversing the length of Vietnam on motorbikes – a challenge made even more daunting considering their collective inexperience on two wheels, particularly Clarkson’s pronounced dislike of motorbikes. Their journey spans from the chaotic streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the stunning coastal roads and rolling green mountains of Vietnam, covering some of the most beautiful landscapes the show has ever featured.
The twist? Rather than cars, each presenter is forced to ride motorbikes they purchase with a meagre budget. Clarkson’s Russian-made Minsk, May’s Honda scooter, and Hammond’s classic green bike struggle to cope with the conditions – from overcrowded urban streets to treacherous rural roads. The episode sees them battle monsoon rains, dangerous traffic, and a series of mechanical failures that leave them stranded on more than one occasion.
What makes the Vietnam Special truly special is the tone of the journey. It’s less about competition and more about the pure experience of exploring a fascinating country, albeit in the most awkward and uncomfortable way possible. The camaraderie between the trio shines through as they bicker and bond over the hardships they face, culminating in one of the most emotional finales of any Top Gear special, as they attempt to build a boat to cross Halong Bay.
5. Africa Special (Season 19, Episodes 6 & 7)
The two-part Africa Special takes Clarkson, Hammond, and May on a mission to discover the true source of the Nile. Equipped with estate cars they each deem perfect for exploration, they embark on a journey through Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, facing off against some of the toughest terrains they’ve ever encountered. The aim is simple: find the real source of the Nile, a challenge that proves far more difficult than anticipated.
Clarkson chooses a BMW 5 Series Touring, Hammond opts for a Subaru Impreza WRX estate, and May, predictably, selects a Volvo 850R estate – each car designed more for suburban school runs than rugged exploration. The trio faces a variety of challenges, from river crossings to dense jungle paths and mountainous regions. Naturally, their cars struggle to cope with the obstacles, resulting in frequent breakdowns and mechanical bodging.
The Africa Special is filled with hilarious moments of sabotage, with each presenter attempting to outdo the others, leading to some truly ridiculous modifications and repairs. However, the real stars of the show are the stunning African landscapes, with vast savannahs, lush green forests, and towering mountains providing a breathtaking backdrop. The sense of adventure is palpable, and the special concludes with a typically chaotic and hilarious debate over whether they’ve actually found the source of the Nile.
4. Middle East Special (Season 16, Episode 101)
The Middle East Special sees Clarkson, Hammond, and May recreating the journey of the three wise men, travelling from northern Iraq to Bethlehem in a set of second-hand convertibles. The premise itself is a recipe for disaster, with the trio tasked with navigating some of the most politically sensitive and physically inhospitable regions of the world, all while dealing with the usual array of mechanical issues and cultural misunderstandings.
Each presenter selects a different convertible: Clarkson in a Mazda MX-5, May in a BMW Z3, and Hammond in a Fiat Barchetta. The vehicles, entirely unsuited to the harsh desert and mountainous terrain, break down frequently, leading to moments of classic Top Gear ingenuity and bickering. The route takes them through Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and finally into Israel, offering both stunning landscapes and an intriguing look at the history and culture of the region.
The special is filled with humorous moments, from the trio dressing up as the wise men to their attempts to gift poorly thought-out presents at every stop. But underneath the laughs, there’s a sense of wonder as they visit some of the most historically significant sites in the world. The Christmas theme gives this episode a unique flavour, with a blend of holiday cheer, religious history, and the inevitable breakdowns and arguments that come with any Top Gear special.
3. Patagonia Special (Season 22, Episodes 1 & 2)
The Patagonia Special is as much remembered for the controversy surrounding it as for the epic road trip itself. In this two-part episode, Clarkson, Hammond, and May travel across the stunning landscapes of Argentina and Chile in three classic sports cars – Clarkson’s Porsche 928, Hammond’s Ford Mustang, and May’s Lotus Esprit. The journey takes them through Patagonia, one of the most remote and visually striking regions in the world, but political tensions arise when the number plate on Clarkson’s car is perceived as a reference to the Falklands War, resulting in an angry response from local communities.
Despite the controversy, the episode is packed with spectacular scenery and the usual array of vehicular disasters. The trio faces off against rocky terrain, snowy mountain passes, and a series of mechanical failures that threaten to derail the journey at every turn. The camaraderie and banter between the presenters are on full display, and the episode is filled with classic Top Gear humour, including one memorable moment where the team attempts to build a bridge over a river using nothing but scrap materials.
The Patagonia Special culminates in a dramatic and tense conclusion, as the team is forced to abandon their cars and flee the country due to escalating tensions with local authorities. This makes for one of the most dramatic and unexpected endings in Top Gear history, cementing the special as one of the show’s most talked-about episodes.
2. USA Special (Season 9, Episode 3)
The USA Special is a quintessential Top Gear adventure, combining American culture, low-budget cars, and the kind of hijinks that only Clarkson, Hammond, and May could create. The challenge is simple: each presenter must buy a used car for under $1,000 and drive it from Miami to New Orleans, covering over 700 miles across the southern United States. Naturally, the trio chooses three very different vehicles, each with its own set of quirks and problems.
Clarkson opts for a Chevrolet Camaro, Hammond chooses a Dodge Ram pickup, and May finds himself behind the wheel of a Cadillac Brougham. What follows is a series of classic Top Gear challenges, from decorating each other’s cars with offensive slogans to attempting to sell food from their vehicles to local townspeople. Along the way, the team encounters swamps, breakdowns, and an alarming moment when they are chased out of a small town after their painted cars provoke a hostile reaction from locals.
The USA Special is packed with memorable moments, including a swamp race, encounters with alligators, and an ill-advised attempt to sleep in their cars overnight. The episode is a perfect blend of American road trip culture and Top Gear's trademark humour, offering plenty of laughs and the kind of unexpected chaos that makes this one of the show’s most beloved specials.
1. Vietnam Special (Season 12, Episode 8)
Topping our list is the Vietnam Special, which is often regarded as one of the finest Top Gear specials ever made. This episode sees Clarkson, Hammond, and May embark on a journey through the stunning landscapes of Vietnam, but with a twist: instead of cars, they must complete the journey on motorbikes. The challenge is made even more daunting by the fact that none of the presenters are particularly adept at riding motorbikes – especially Clarkson, who openly despises them.
The journey takes the trio from the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City, through the stunning central highlands, and along the picturesque coastal roads, finishing in the iconic Ha Long Bay. Along the way, they face torrential rain, treacherous mountain passes, and the inevitable breakdowns that accompany any Top Gear adventure. The episode is filled with the kind of mischief and mishaps that fans love, as the team struggles to keep their unreliable bikes going.
What sets the Vietnam Special apart, however, is its sense of wonder and exploration. Vietnam’s scenery is breathtaking, and the episode offers a rare glimpse into a country that few Western audiences had seen in such detail. The final challenge, which sees the team attempt to convert their bikes into amphibious vehicles and sail them across Ha Long Bay, is a fittingly absurd end to one of the most beautiful and memorable specials in Top Gear's history.
