Why it’s great: Often called the single best thing Clarkson, Hammond, and May have ever done. Given a rusty old flatbed truck, they must build a vehicle from scrap and cross the empty, trackless wilderness of Mongolia. No scripted sabotage, no fake drama — just three friends, one brilliant improvised car (called “John”), and an epic, emotional journey.
Why it’s great: A return to the cheap-car-challenge format. They buy £6,000 SUVs (a Porsche Cayenne, a BMW X5, a Range Rover) and drive through the deserts of Jordan to a giant Saddam Hussein palace. Features the greatest “car tent” collapse in history and a proper adventure feel.
While no episode was universally hated, these are frequently ranked lowest by fans: