All six episodes of the first season of The Grand Tour’s new format are now available on Prime Video. The series, which was once Prime Video’s most-watched unscripted UK original, marks a significant shift following the departure of original hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May after 22 years. The 2026 iteration, hosted by Thomas Holland, James Engelsman, and Francis Bourgeois, endeavors to demonstrate that the show can continue without its iconic lineup, and by most accounts, it has achieved this goal.
The new season opens with the fresh trio visiting Clarkson on his Diddly Squat Farm, a brief sketch that positions him as an elder statesman of the show. This setup serves as a clever transition, signaling that while the series is restarting with a "Season 1," it is not disregarding its history. The approach is framed less as a complete reboot and more as a relay, with the new hosts taking the baton. Clarkson's parting words, "Seriously, have fun with this. I mean it, and good luck. And don’t f–k it up," feel like a genuine send-off.
The show retains its core structure, featuring a blend of themed segments and extended road trips across various international locations, including parts of the US, Malaysia, and Angola. Any potential budget reductions following the original hosts' exit are not apparent on screen. The automotive cinematography remains visually rich, and ambitious stunts, such as destroying a Tesla with a giant airbag or a high-speed race involving jets and a Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution Evolution, are executed with considerable production value.
A standout element of the new season is the immediate chemistry between the three hosts. Holland and Engelsman, familiar from the YouTube motoring channel Throttle House, exhibit a natural rapport honed over years of content creation. Their comfort in discussing cars and their ability to engage in spontaneous, authentic disagreements contribute to a believable camaraderie. Bourgeois, who lacks a traditional motoring journalism background, proves to be a compelling addition. Despite being unfamiliar with his specific social media presence, his infectious enthusiasm and apparent knowledge of automobiles are highly engaging. The show effectively incorporates his known interest in trains while also showcasing his automotive expertise, presenting him as an individual with the measured authority of someone older but capable of transforming into an excited enthusiast behind the wheel.
An example of Bourgeois's presenting style can be seen in episode four, where he and Holland compare two high-value restomods: the Totem GT Super, a reimagining of the Alfa Romeo GTA, and the Prodrive P25, a remake of the Subaru Impreza 22B. The segment highlights Bourgeois's appreciation for the P25, further enhanced by a fitting musical choice from the 90s. This focus on restomods mirrors the season's approach of updating classic elements with modern execution, a parallel that could have been further explored.
Thomas Holland himself acknowledged the challenge of taking on the role, admitting, "Only a moron would take that job" when the reboot was announced. This sentiment echoes the struggles of BBC's Top Gear, which cycled through eight different hosts between 2016 and 2023 after Clarkson's departure, failing to recapture its former success. The Grand Tour, in its early episodes, appears to have avoided a similar fate by understanding and maintaining the show's essential formula.
A Promising New Direction
The Grand Tour's rebooted season succeeds where Top Gear faltered, not solely due to cameos from the original hosts, but by genuinely understanding the audience's expectations. The show combines accessible motoring journalism with an earnest portrayal of male friendship, a recipe that has proven effective. While it is too early to know the new hosts as intimately as Clarkson, Hammond, and May, the initial six episodes suggest a promising new chapter for the series.