Grand Tour specials have been a dream come true for car enthusiasts and fans of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May’s high octane adventures.
Since their Top Gear days, the trio has turned even the simplest journeys into hilariously wild escapades. With The Grand Tour, they’ve raised the stakes, introducing more daring challenges and jaw-dropping moments across the globe. From Scandinavia’s icy roads to Namibia’s scorching sands, each special tests their wit, endurance, and cars to the limit.
But not all specials hit the same high notes. Some are packed with excitement and stunning scenery, while others fall short due to pacing or scripted antics. That’s why we’ve ranked every Grand Tour special from worst to best, based on entertainment, memorable moments, and the show’s beloved unpredictability.
Ranking Every Grand Tour Special: From Worst to Best
15 – Feed the World (2018)
Transporting fish across Mozambique in the most chaotic ways possible.
Runtime: 55m
In an effort to “solve world hunger,” the trio travels across Mozambique, attempting to transport fish from the coast to inland areas. Clarkson picks a Nissan tractor, Hammond chooses a motorcycle, and May opts for a classic Mercedes. The premise seems promising but quickly loses steam due to a lack of real tension or creativity in the challenges.
Memorable Moments: Hammond’s countless spills and mechanical issues on his motorcycle initially provide some laughs, but the repetition dulls their impact. Clarkson’s constant struggles with the tractor on muddy roads highlight the episode’s absurdity, but the special lacks the dramatic climax seen in other adventures. Despite some funny exchanges, it feels like a missed opportunity and ranks as the least memorable Grand Tour special.
14 – The Grand Tour Presents: Seamen (2019)
Boats, monsoons, and misadventures on the Mekong River.
Runtime: 1h 31m
Departing from their usual car-based antics, the hosts take to the waters of Southeast Asia, each selecting a different type of boat for a treacherous journey down the Mekong River. While the switch to boating is refreshing, it doesn’t quite capture the thrill or chemistry of their car-based specials.
Memorable Moments: The monsoon hits with force, leading to Hammond’s boat capsizing and Clarkson’s overconfident boating skills getting a reality check. May’s meticulous approach to navigating through complex river systems adds contrast, yet the special struggles to maintain the same excitement as their road trips. While it’s visually stunning, Seamen ends up feeling like a somewhat off-brand adventure for the Grand Tour.
13 – International Buffoons’ Vacation (2019)
RV chaos across the deserts of the American Southwest.
Runtime: 1h 21m
Clarkson, Hammond, and May attempt the classic American RV holiday, exploring the Southwestern United States in massive, often impractical, RVs. While their usual antics and pranks make an appearance, the episode lacks a strong overarching challenge or destination, which somewhat diminishes its impact.
Memorable Moments: Clarkson’s colossal motorhome constantly crashing into obstacles, Hammond’s meticulous attempts to navigate narrow desert paths, and May’s understated struggle to manoeuvre his RV make for some great comedy. However, the lack of a clear goal or perilous journey makes this episode less memorable than other specials.
12 – The Colombia Special Part 1 (2019)
A wildlife photography quest through Colombia’s stunning landscapes.
Runtime: 54m
The trio sets off through Colombia in search of wildlife to photograph for Amazon’s screensavers. Clarkson chooses a Jeep Wrangler, Hammond goes for a Chevrolet Silverado, and May opts for a Fiat Panda 4×4. While it offers beautiful scenery and showcases some of Colombia’s stunning landscapes, it serves more as a setup for the action-packed second part.
Memorable Moments: Clarkson’s obsessive quest to photograph a sloth provides some amusing scenes, particularly when he nearly tumbles off a cliff in the process. Hammond’s monster truck-sized Silverado seems wholly inappropriate for the terrain, leading to endless quips and criticism from the others.
11 – The Colombia Special Part 2 (2019)
Epic off-roading adventures with a dose of jungle drama.
Runtime: 1h 6m
Continuing their Colombian adventure, the trio faces more daunting terrains, including river crossings and dense jungles. The vehicles take a beating, and the hosts’ bickering adds to the tension. However, despite the beautiful backdrops and their usual camaraderie, it feels like a revisit of older, more memorable jungle-themed specials from their Top Gear days.
Memorable Moments: Clarkson’s Jeep and Hammond’s Silverado struggle through the rough trails, sparking heated debates on vehicle choice. The highlight is their frantic dash to capture the perfect wildlife photos, showcasing both the beauty of Colombia and the comedy of three amateurs attempting to be nature photographers.
10 – The Beach (Buggy) Boys – Part 1 (2016)
Homemade buggies take on Namibia’s punishing desert.
Runtime: 44m
Kicking off the Namibia special, the hosts embark on a journey across the Namib Desert in homemade beach buggies. It’s the perfect setup for adventure, but the real action is yet to come, making this first part feel more like an introduction than a complete experience.
Memorable Moments: The trio’s excitement quickly turns to dread as they struggle through the scorching desert. May’s constant fretting about mechanical failures contrasts hilariously with Clarkson’s overconfidence, setting the stage for the real trials in Part 2.
9 – The Beach (Buggy) Boys – Part 2 (2016)
Dune-filled mayhem and survival in the Namib Desert.
Runtime: 58m
The action heats up in the second part of their Namibia journey. The buggies and hosts alike are pushed to their limits as they navigate challenging dunes and unforgiving terrain. It captures the essence of classic road trip specials, blending humour with the struggle of the journey.
Memorable Moments: The endless digging to free their buggies from the sand, Hammond’s ongoing war with the elements, and the spectacular desert landscapes create a visually stunning and adventurous episode. Their camaraderie shines through as they tackle each obstacle with a mix of laughter, frustration, and sheer determination.
8 – The Grand Tour Presents: Carnage A Trois (2021)
Exploring the quirks and absurdities of French car culture.
Runtime: 1h 8m
This French-themed special dives into the peculiarities of French car culture. Despite being filmed under Covid restrictions, it manages to capture the essence of the Grand Tour: quirky vehicles, humorous jabs, and a mix of road-trip antics.
Memorable Moments: Clarkson’s “drive-through car wash” with a convertible leaves him drenched, and the outrageous stunts involving French cars provide non-stop laughs. It’s an unashamedly car-focused episode that caters to hardcore automotive fans, offering insight into the bizarre quirks of French vehicles while still delivering plenty of comedic gold.
7 – The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown (2021)
American land yachts meet the rugged beauty of Scotland.
Runtime: 1h 30m
Filmed during the Covid-19 pandemic, “Lochdown” sees the trio exploring Scotland in classic American land yachts. The challenges they face due to the size of their cars on narrow Scottish roads provide the usual Grand Tour mix of adventure and hilarity.
Memorable Moments: The homemade floating bridge over Loch Ness provides a classic disaster moment, with the trio arguing over who is to blame for its inevitable collapse. The caravan holiday segment adds chaos and nostalgia, harking back to the hosts’ earlier road trip mishaps.
6 – The Grand Tour Presents: A Massive Hunt (2020)
A treasure hunt through the brutal terrain of Madagascar.
Runtime: 1h 30m
Embarking on a treasure hunt across the islands of Réunion and Madagascar, the trio faces some of the roughest terrain they’ve ever encountered. It’s a visually stunning journey with a mix of adventure and engineering ingenuity.
Memorable Moments: The heavily modified cars tackling the rugged Madagascan roads provide plenty of tension and humour. Clarkson’s endless complaints about the challenging conditions are balanced by Hammond’s optimism and May’s stoic resolve. The sight of them getting bogged down in mud while attempting to find “treasure” adds to the episode’s charm.
5 – The Grand Tour: Eurocrash (2023)
An adventurous European road trip filled with high-speed pranks.
Runtime: 1h 47m
Returning to their roots, this European road trip combines fast cars, beautiful scenery, and the classic trio banter. From thrilling drives on mountain roads to spontaneous cultural detours, it hits all the right notes of a Grand Tour special.
Memorable Moments: The showdown between the trio’s chosen cars is hilarious, with Clarkson’s over-the-top modifications, Hammond’s relentless defending of his pick, and May’s pragmatic approach. The side adventure with the Nigel Mansell waxwork is pure comedy gold, adding an unexpected twist to their journey.
4 – The Grand Tour: Sand Job (2024)
Desert drama while retracing the legendary Dakar Rally.
Runtime: 2h 15m
Taking the adventure to the Middle East, “Sand Job” is an epic in scale, combining stunning desert landscapes with gruelling challenges. The retracing of the original Dakar Rally route adds a historical touch, creating a genuinely fascinating episode.
Memorable Moments: The trio repeatedly gets stuck in the dunes, leading to creative (and often absurd) attempts to escape. Clarkson’s frustration reaches new heights as he struggles with the treacherous terrain, while Hammond’s attempts to “master” the sand with his vehicle are laughably optimistic.
3 – The Grand Tour: A Scandi Flick (2022)
Rally cars, icy roads, and epic crashes in Scandinavia.
Runtime: 1h 39m
This special takes the hosts to Scandinavia, where they test their rally-bred saloon cars on icy roads and frozen lakes. It’s packed with thrills, stunning scenery, and the familiar blend of competitive pranks and camaraderie.
Memorable Moments: May’s high-speed crash in an unlit tunnel is both shocking and comedic, highlighting his determination to shed the “Captain Slow” image. The drag races on ice and the relentless pranks, including the snowball fight that escalates into a full-on car battle, make this special unforgettable.
2 – The Mongolia Special: Survival of the Fattest (2019)
Building and driving a DIY vehicle across Mongolia’s wilderness.
Runtime: 1h 32m
Dropped in the middle of Mongolia with nothing but basic rations and a flat-pack vehicle, the trio faces one of their toughest challenges yet. They must build a car from scratch and use it to journey back to civilisation, showcasing their problem-solving skills and humour under pressure.
Memorable Moments: Watching them assemble the DIY vehicle from parts is a masterclass in improvisation and patience. The epic drive across Mongolia’s stunning, barren landscape is peppered with mechanical mishaps, complaints, and moments of genuine teamwork. It’s an intense yet hilarious journey that tests their mettle.
1 – The Grand Tour: One For The Road (2024)
A final, heartfelt adventure blending humour and nostalgia.
Runtime: 2h 10m
Serving as a fitting send-off to nearly two decades of Clarkson, Hammond, and May’s partnership, “One For The Road” is a perfect blend of humour, adventure, and heartfelt moments. This final episode takes everything fans love about the trio’s dynamic and distills it into a near-perfect journey.
Memorable Moments: The balance of epic car challenges, unexpected detours, and reflections on their time together makes for a deeply engaging watch. The sheer scale of the adventure, combined with moments of nostalgia, culminates in a special that celebrates their friendship and love for motoring. It’s a thrilling, emotional farewell to an era.
