“Top Gear is not a car show. It's a show about three middle-aged men who happen to like cars, and that distinction is everything.”
A.A. Gill
The Sunday Times

United Kingdom"The world’s biggest motoring show."
User Score
868 votes
Top Gear is a British motoring entertainment series that first aired in its relaunched format on BBC Two in October 2002. The show’s core premise involves three charismatic presenters embarking on a variety of automotive adventures, including road tests, races, challenges, and comedic segments. It’s far more than a simple car review program; it aims to explore the relationship between humans, machines, and the open road, often through spectacular and absurd scenarios.
Each episode typically unfolds in a studio setting with a live audience, featuring a test track and the iconic "Cool Wall" where cars are judged on their style and desirability. The true engine of the show, however, is the dynamic between its hosts. Originally fronted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, their distinct personalities, Clarkson's bombastic opinions, Hammond's energetic enthusiasm, and May's meticulous approach, created a chemistry that became the series' main draw. Their friendly rivalry and constant banter turned car reviews into compelling television.
Stream
Availability and pricing can change. Confirm on the provider's site before purchasing.
The world of Top Gear is built around a studio format and a sprawling test track, where the presenters engage in a mix of car reviews, challenges, and interviews with celebrity guests. The show's structure is loose, allowing for spontaneous humor and elaborate stunts. Early seasons focused on more straightforward car testing and quirky challenges, such as buying used cars for a tight budget and embarking on road trips across countries.
As the series gained popularity, the challenges became increasingly ambitious and spectacular. These included epic road trips across continents, such as driving across America in cheap cars or navigating Vietnam on scooters. The presenters' contrasting driving styles and opinions often fueled the show's comedic conflicts. For instance, Clarkson's preference for raw power would clash with May's appreciation for engineering finesse, while Hammond often found himself in the middle, caught up in their schemes.
The show is also known for its recurring segments, most famously the "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" segment, where celebrity guests would set lap times around the test track in an ordinary car. The enigmatic racing driver, The Stig, known for his white suit and helmet and his silent, precise driving, became a cultural icon in his own right. His "some say..." introductions became a signature element of the show.
Throughout its run, Top Gear pushed the boundaries of automotive entertainment. Challenges evolved to include building amphibious cars, racing trains, planes, and boats, and even attempting to create a "British supercar" on a shoestring budget. The series has seen shifts in its presenting lineup over the years, most notably after the departure of Clarkson, Hammond, and May. New hosts have brought fresh dynamics and perspectives, continuing the show's legacy of exploring cars and adventure with humor and a distinctive British flair. The format generally involves two or three main segments per episode: a significant car review, a large-scale challenge or road trip, and often a studio segment or interview.
Top Gear - Series 6 Trailer (2005)
Top Gear - Series 1 Trailer (2002)
Top Gear Series 27 | Trailer
Critical Consensus
Top Gear is a wildly entertaining, if sometimes controversial, motoring show that blends genuine automotive journalism with over-the-top stunts and comedic banter. Its success hinges on the chemistry of its presenters, whose personalities elevate car reviews into must-watch television. While criticized for occasional insensitivity and manufactured drama, its global appeal and influence on factual entertainment are undeniable.
“Top Gear is not a car show. It's a show about three middle-aged men who happen to like cars, and that distinction is everything.”
A.A. Gill
The Sunday Times
“The show's genius lies in its ability to make you care about the difference between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini, even if you've never driven either.”
Tim Dowling
The Guardian
“Top Gear's formula, loud, laddish, and lavishly produced, has been imitated countless times but never equaled. It's a cultural juggernaut that redefined what a factual entertainment show could be.”
Neil Midgley
The Telegraph
“The post-Clarkson era struggles to find its footing, but the show's core DNA, cars, challenges, and chaos, remains intact, even if the chemistry is less explosive.”
Daniel Fienberg
The Hollywood Reporter
“Top Gear is a masterclass in television alchemy: take three men who seem to hate each other, put them in unreliable cars, and watch the magic happen.”
Sam Wollaston
The Guardian
Directors
Phil Churchward, Brian Klein, Kit Lynch-Robinson
Writer
Richard Porter
Producers
Andy Wilman, Gary Broadhurst
BAFTA TV Awards (2005)
Best Feature: Won
BAFTA TV Awards (2006)
Best Feature: Won
BAFTA TV Awards (2007)
Best Feature: Won
BAFTA TV Awards (2008)
Best Feature: Won
BAFTA TV Awards (2009)
Best Feature: Won
BAFTA TV Awards (2010)
Best Feature: Won
BAFTA TV Awards (2011)
Best Feature: Won
BAFTA TV Awards (2012)
Best Feature: Won
BAFTA TV Awards (2013)
Best Feature: Won
BAFTA TV Awards (2014)
Best Feature: Won
BAFTA TV Awards (2015)
Best Feature: Won
International Emmy Awards (2007)
Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated
International Emmy Awards (2008)
Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated
International Emmy Awards (2009)
Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated
International Emmy Awards (2010)
Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated
International Emmy Awards (2011)
Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated
International Emmy Awards (2012)
Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated
International Emmy Awards (2013)
Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated
International Emmy Awards (2014)
Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated
International Emmy Awards (2015)
Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: Nominated
National Television Awards (2005)
Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won
National Television Awards (2006)
Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won
National Television Awards (2007)
Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won
National Television Awards (2008)
Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won
National Television Awards (2009)
Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won
National Television Awards (2010)
Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won
National Television Awards (2011)
Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won
National Television Awards (2012)
Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won
National Television Awards (2013)
Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won
National Television Awards (2014)
Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won
National Television Awards (2015)
Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won
National Television Awards (2016)
Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show: Won
TV Choice Awards
Best Factual Entertainment Show: Won
Guinness World Records
Most-watched factual TV show: Won
Guinness World Records
Most successful BBC Worldwide format: Won
Join the community
fans discussing