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The Best Episodes of Top Gear Season 1

Every episode of Top Gear Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Top Gear Season 1!

Binge this in 9h 53m•Peaking at 7.3/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Top Gear Season 1 Episode 5 - Episode 5
    7.3/10(329 votes)

    S1:E5

    Jeremy Clarkson takes the unconventional Renault Vel Satis to what he considers its natural habitat — Swindon — before unleashing his own car on the test track and introducing the now-legendary Cool Wall. Richard Hammond gets behind the wheel of the new BMW Z4, while Jason Dawe assesses a used Volkswagen Golf GTI and oversees the return of the grannies, this time to see whether they can master the art of the handbrake turn. Tara Palmer-Tomkinson is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Brian Klein
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Top Gear Season 1 Episode 6 - Episode 6
    7.3/10(326 votes)

    S1:E6

    Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Renault Vel Satis, BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG and Honda NSX Type R, while Richard Hammond takes the new BMW Z4 Roadster for a spin. Jason Dawe assesses the Volkswagen Golf as a used buy, and Jeremy puts his own car to the test. The Cool Wall makes its debut, and the grannies return to compete in a handbrake-parking challenge. Tara Palmer-Tomkinson is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Brian Klein
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Top Gear Season 1 Episode 8 - Episode 8
    7.3/10(324 votes)

    S1:E8

    Jeremy Clarkson compares yet another fast Mercedes with yet another fast Audi — the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG and Audi RS6 — before taking the new Maserati Coupé for a spin. Richard Hammond tackles a group test of superminis, sets out to find Britain's fastest white van man, and discovers whether even Lotus can turn a humble Lada Riva into something worth driving. Sir Michael Gambon is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Brian Klein
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Top Gear Season 1 Episode 9 - Episode 9
    7.3/10(316 votes)

    S1:E9

    Jeremy Clarkson sets out to find the ultimate school-run machine by pitting a people carrier, a luxury SUV and a full-blown off-roader against one another, before taking the all-new Volkswagen Golf for a spin. Richard Hammond investigates the Subaru Forester, while the team discovers what a Jaguar XJ-S is really worth once all the unnecessary bits are removed. Elsewhere, The Stig attempts the entirely sensible task of racing a Radical SR3 against an aerobatic aircraft. And in the reasonably priced car, Gordon Ramsay tries not to swear.

    Director:Brian Klein
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Top Gear Season 1 Episode 10 - Episode 10
    7.3/10(321 votes)

    S1:E10

    Jeremy Clarkson heads into the countryside to discover which off-roader is best when the tarmac runs out, and also gives the Lotus Esprit V8 a thorough workout. Richard Hammond gets behind the wheel of TVR's striking new T350C, while Jason Dawe searches the classifieds for a bargain Nissan Primera. Elsewhere, the search for Britain's fastest faith enters its second round, and the team hands out the annual Top Gear Awards.

    Director:Brian Klein
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Top Gear Season 1 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    7.2/10(370 votes)

    S1:E3

    Jeremy Clarkson reviews the new Mini Cooper and Toyota Yaris Verso, while the Westfield XTR2 takes on the Pagani Zonda in a track battle. Elsewhere, some spirited grannies perform doughnuts, and actor Ross Kemp laps the test track as the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Top Gear Season 1 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    7.2/10(345 votes)

    S1:E4

    Jeremy Clarkson heads to the Isle of Man with Formula One World Champion Damon Hill to settle an important question: Aston Martin Vanquish or Ferrari 575M? He also catches up with World Rally Champion Richard Burns and takes a look at the latest James Bond machinery from Die Another Day. Meanwhile, Richard Hammond tests a selection of family saloons using a distinctly Formula One-inspired approach, while Jason Dawe goes bargain hunting for a used Nissan Skyline GT-R. Steve Coogan is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Brian Klein
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Top Gear Season 1 Episode 7 - Episode 7
    7.2/10(316 votes)

    S1:E7

    In an episode (supposedly) devoted to the environment, Jeremy Clarkson investigates the controversial M4 bus lane while Richard Hammond reviews the Saab 9-3 from the least environmentally friendly place imaginable — a traffic jam. Elsewhere, Jeremy discovers how to drive a Lotus Elise 111S properly, Richard launches the search for Britain's fastest faith, and Jason Dawe visits a school to settle the important question of which supercar children love most. Rick Parfitt is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Brian Klein
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Top Gear Season 1 Episode 1 - Episode 1
    7.1/10(522 votes)

    S1:E1

    Jeremy Clarkson introduces the new-look Top Gear before embarking on a decidedly British booze cruise in a Citroën Berlingo. He also pits the Pagani Zonda against the Lamborghini Murciélago, while Richard Hammond reviews the Mazda6 and attempts to answer an important question: can you actually beat a speed camera? Elsewhere, Jayson Taylor demonstrates how to run a car on vegetable oil, and Harry Enfield becomes the first Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Brian Klein
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Top Gear Season 1 Episode 2 - Episode 2
    7.1/10(411 votes)

    S1:E2

    Jeremy Clarkson joins a gathering of Ford RS enthusiasts before taking the new Focus RS to a suitably deserted stretch of road. He also tests a remarkably quick supercar built in a shed in Leicestershire — the Noble M12 GTO. Meanwhile, Richard Hammond fulfils a childhood ambition by driving a Ford Escort RS1800 and discovers how many motorcycles a double-decker bus can jump before things become expensive. Jay Kay is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car.

    Director:Brian Klein
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Episode 5" is the best rated episode of "Top Gear" season 1. It scored 7.3/10 based on 329 votes. Directed by Brian Klein and written by Unknown, it aired on 11/17/2002. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Episode 6".