The Grand Tour returns for a new season, and it still knows exactly what it is. This is the Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May show that trades car reviews for road trips, pranks and arguments across the globe. The formula has not changed, and the show has not lost its edge.
Trailer, via The Grand Tour.
The Formula That Works
Each episode follows the trio on a country road trip, driving exotic cars while local authorities look the other way. The format remains simple: drive somewhere interesting, meet someone famous, and leave the car in a bad spot. It worked in 2016, and it works again now.
What has changed is the scale. The show now travels further, spends more time in each location, and builds bigger set pieces around the cars. A typical episode runs about 40 minutes, and the season moves through several countries in quick succession.
The Cars Carry the Show
The cars themselves remain the star attraction. Each episode features at least one high-end vehicle, often paired with a cheap rental car for contrast. The show’s ability to make a $200,000 supercar feel both ridiculous and desirable is part of what makes it work.
| Episode | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | United States |
| 2 | Japan |
| 3 | Australia |
| 4 | United Kingdom |
The schedule above is a rough outline, not a fixed fixture list. The actual order depends on the season’s production plan.
Where the Show Falls Short
Not everything lands. Some segments run too long, and the show occasionally leans on jokes that repeat rather than evolve. The political commentary, which has always been part of the show’s identity, can also feel heavy-handed in episodes where the humor is thin.
But those moments are the exception, not the rule.
Why It Still Works
The show succeeds because Clarkson, Hammond and May refuse to act like professionals. They argue, they laugh, and they treat the cars like toys rather than tools. That authenticity is rare in a format this polished.
- The chemistry between the three hosts carries the show.
- The travel locations keep each episode fresh.
- The car reviews remain sharp and entertaining.
- The humor stays grounded in real people, not scripted comedy.
Final Word
The Grand Tour has aged gracefully. It has not chased trends, and it has not diluted its core appeal. The new season continues that pattern, with the same mix of wit, adventure and mechanical curiosity that defined the original.
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