I'd honestly give it 8/10 for what it is, IF you didn't have to subscribe to the MT app to watch. I'm only mildly interested in cars but still find the show very entertaining and campy in a good way. It's self aware enough to play around in dad joke territory and doesn't take itself too seriously. The result is charming and lighthearted. Cast chemistry is great even though it wouldn't seem to work on paper. That's also part of the charm of the show.
35 Reviews
Bring back tanner, rut and the other one
marcodiogo8611 February 2021
Weird cast
wesleymbennett12 February 2021
Could be better
patrickaschulze14 March 2021
It seems like they're trying to reproduce a great show instead of making it their own. Jethro is not a presenter, he's very bland and predictable. They have a great racer already in Dax, bring a good presenter maybe a Danica Patrick or Mike Finnegan to give the show some vehicle expert that has been on TV before. Rob Corddry is a hilarious comedian, let him be funny!
Definitely has some good qualities, the challenges are pretty generic and often don't have much backstory or any real challenge aspect to them.
Has the bones of a good show, but needs some surgery to make it an actual good show.
Definitely has some good qualities, the challenges are pretty generic and often don't have much backstory or any real challenge aspect to them.
Has the bones of a good show, but needs some surgery to make it an actual good show.
Finally a Top Gear I can get back into
Silverchevy2208 February 2021
For years my go to show was BBC's 2002 Top Gear until Clarkson, Hammond, and May "left" the show. I couldn't get back into it after they were replaced. I tried Top Gear (American TV Series), which had it's moments but never felt the same. Then there was the 2017 Top Gear America that lost my attention so fast that I almost forgot it existed.
The new 2021 season of Top Gear America caught my attention with Dax and Rob. With that alone I had to give it a shot and I'm glad I did. This isn't as good as the BBC Top Gear (2002), but it's still in it's infancy and even from the first episode it's better than some of the other versions of Top Gear. At the time of writing, they are only on episode 3 and I can see the show gaining more and more momentum. If given enough time to mature, this version of Top Gear could become the next best thing to Top Gear (2002). (The Grand Tour is obviously the next best thing considering the cast, but seems to be lacking episodes currently).
Update: Recently watched the latest 3 seasons of BBC Top Gear with Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness, and Andrew Flintoff. Highly recommend watching as that was some of the best content I've seen.
Pros:
Cons:
Overall, I think this show has amazing potential and is a good watch. Unfortunately I don't think it will last long because it's currently on Motortrend and not getting the care or advertising it needs to survive with the cast it has. I think it could really take off if it was picked up by Netflix, Amazon, or even HBO Max and given some more screen time. Motortrend did a great job picking Dax and Rob who are pretty famous and well known, but I'm not sure if a network like MT could reach an audience big enough to keep this going. The sad part is that the show will probably last a season, maybe two, and then will get cancelled because of low viewership. This won't because of the cast or the content, but because of the lack of viewers that even know it exists. I hope it survives and becomes a big hit, but don't see that happening on Motortrend.
The new 2021 season of Top Gear America caught my attention with Dax and Rob. With that alone I had to give it a shot and I'm glad I did. This isn't as good as the BBC Top Gear (2002), but it's still in it's infancy and even from the first episode it's better than some of the other versions of Top Gear. At the time of writing, they are only on episode 3 and I can see the show gaining more and more momentum. If given enough time to mature, this version of Top Gear could become the next best thing to Top Gear (2002). (The Grand Tour is obviously the next best thing considering the cast, but seems to be lacking episodes currently).
Update: Recently watched the latest 3 seasons of BBC Top Gear with Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness, and Andrew Flintoff. Highly recommend watching as that was some of the best content I've seen.
Pros:
- Dax and Rob - Dax is a gearhead and Rob has a base knowledge, but both are funny and would honestly be a great duo in a movie.
- Fun content and commentary
- Shows massive amount of potential. If executed correctly, could become a big hit and long running series.
- Overall really enjoyable to watch and slowly improves after each episode.
Cons:
- Not a huge fan of Jethro. He feels a little separated from the show and a little boring.
- Length. The show is just too short or at least feels that way. They are around 35 minutes and I think the average for BBC Top Gear was 50-65 minutes depending on commercial breaks. This is a show where you need longer episodes to successfully cover the subject and entertain viewers.
- Motortrend. I feel like this is just the wrong place for it, but that could just be me. The only way I heard about this show is from Ads on Facebook and that it's stream on Motortrend for $5 a month (which is a good deal considering). Even so, it's not marketed very well and will be missed by many potential viewers.
Overall, I think this show has amazing potential and is a good watch. Unfortunately I don't think it will last long because it's currently on Motortrend and not getting the care or advertising it needs to survive with the cast it has. I think it could really take off if it was picked up by Netflix, Amazon, or even HBO Max and given some more screen time. Motortrend did a great job picking Dax and Rob who are pretty famous and well known, but I'm not sure if a network like MT could reach an audience big enough to keep this going. The sad part is that the show will probably last a season, maybe two, and then will get cancelled because of low viewership. This won't because of the cast or the content, but because of the lack of viewers that even know it exists. I hope it survives and becomes a big hit, but don't see that happening on Motortrend.
Amazing!
bpate-368435 February 2021
Much better than expected!
caboooze4 April 2021
The hosts have great chemistry, I honestly really like all three of them which is something I haven't said about any "Top Gear" since the original. Hats off to whoever picked them, especially Dax and Jethro.
Episode 3 (Luxury SUVs) is a topic I really could care less about, but it was well execute and fun. I actually enjoyed watching the whole episode to the point that I decided to come here and rate the series.
Episode 3 (Luxury SUVs) is a topic I really could care less about, but it was well execute and fun. I actually enjoyed watching the whole episode to the point that I decided to come here and rate the series.
Yawn,... Who are these guys again?
pidstr1 March 2021
Well made, sure, little rough round the edges compared to the technical standards of the UK edition in it's prime, but at least up to the standard of Motortrends other shows.
It's main problem is that the magic between the hosts just isn't there, and it feels waaaaay too scripted - the earlier US team had more of the magic and were more natural hosts.
The next is, these guys are acting like they're all stars, when they're unknowns for this audience - Motortrend would have been better off calling up a couple of race drivers or some youtubers.
And as for the GeoBlocking, it's time mobs like Motortrend realised that all they get when they limit the audience location, is to get pirated.
Top Gear America - My highly anticipated thoughts
piplucas723 February 2021
(For the record, i'm kidding about the title)
The problem with Top Gear UK's 2016 reshuffling of the presenters, was two-fold. On one end, we were provided with Chris Evans who tried way too hard to be the new Jeremy Clarkson. He saw the magic the previous presenters had, and wanted to replicate it. This came off as way too much, cringy, and just plain uncool. On the other hand was Matt Leblanc. He was cool, he was a car guy, and he knew it. So he didn't try at all to become excited or intense. This left way too much missing from what we previously had.
Simultaneously The Grand Tour was born. This was a big budget, high emotion spectacle with excellent chemistry brought on by three old friends sticking together. The cars mattered even less than in Top Gear, and we just wanted to see more of those three.
But something was left missing; i.e. a true car show about cars and their history, with just plain good hosts. There are plenty of good youtube creators out there doing good work, but not with the budget, or the TV mindset of the BBC.
I believe that is what the latest iteration of Top Gear America provides. Three cars guys - all with vastly different backgrounds, and natural chemistry. Of course they're not Clarkson, Hammond, and May, but we can always go back and re-watch old episodes of them if that's what we want.
Dax Shepard provides such an excellence and professionalism to the show that keeps things on track and in gear, while Jethro Bovingdon's sophistication comes through in his superior skills and performance knowledge. Rob Corddry keeps things consistently comical, and provides the chemical bonding of the group, thus differentiating the show from other "purist" shows that miss out on the fun. All of these factors come together to provide what I think is perfectly right down the middle. It's not Chris Evans shouting at the camera, or Matt Leblanc mumbling in the rain. It's just good ole' top gear. A reflection of a serious addiction us gearheads have about a subject that should never be taken too seriously.
I don't know in what order they filmed, obviously, but episodes 4 and 5 were the big hits for me, including the laugh-out-loud awesomely Top Gear moment of the Explorer on the logs, and the back-and-forth of the three starting to really come together.
My one big complaint is that they don't seem to finish their stories. In the first episode where they are set to do a "roadtrip across America" in supercars - that isn't the plot at all. Then, when they purchase 3 "future classics" to compete with regular banter about who will get more money for them, the story just dies out and there is no final act.
I hope the show gets picked up for many more seasons, because I think it could be really great with these exact hosts and team.
The problem with Top Gear UK's 2016 reshuffling of the presenters, was two-fold. On one end, we were provided with Chris Evans who tried way too hard to be the new Jeremy Clarkson. He saw the magic the previous presenters had, and wanted to replicate it. This came off as way too much, cringy, and just plain uncool. On the other hand was Matt Leblanc. He was cool, he was a car guy, and he knew it. So he didn't try at all to become excited or intense. This left way too much missing from what we previously had.
Simultaneously The Grand Tour was born. This was a big budget, high emotion spectacle with excellent chemistry brought on by three old friends sticking together. The cars mattered even less than in Top Gear, and we just wanted to see more of those three.
But something was left missing; i.e. a true car show about cars and their history, with just plain good hosts. There are plenty of good youtube creators out there doing good work, but not with the budget, or the TV mindset of the BBC.
I believe that is what the latest iteration of Top Gear America provides. Three cars guys - all with vastly different backgrounds, and natural chemistry. Of course they're not Clarkson, Hammond, and May, but we can always go back and re-watch old episodes of them if that's what we want.
Dax Shepard provides such an excellence and professionalism to the show that keeps things on track and in gear, while Jethro Bovingdon's sophistication comes through in his superior skills and performance knowledge. Rob Corddry keeps things consistently comical, and provides the chemical bonding of the group, thus differentiating the show from other "purist" shows that miss out on the fun. All of these factors come together to provide what I think is perfectly right down the middle. It's not Chris Evans shouting at the camera, or Matt Leblanc mumbling in the rain. It's just good ole' top gear. A reflection of a serious addiction us gearheads have about a subject that should never be taken too seriously.
I don't know in what order they filmed, obviously, but episodes 4 and 5 were the big hits for me, including the laugh-out-loud awesomely Top Gear moment of the Explorer on the logs, and the back-and-forth of the three starting to really come together.
My one big complaint is that they don't seem to finish their stories. In the first episode where they are set to do a "roadtrip across America" in supercars - that isn't the plot at all. Then, when they purchase 3 "future classics" to compete with regular banter about who will get more money for them, the story just dies out and there is no final act.
I hope the show gets picked up for many more seasons, because I think it could be really great with these exact hosts and team.
Poor effort by Motor Trend
ka-7460330 August 2021
This iteration of TG was made for a streaming service and it shows. Camera work is awkward. Seems like every episode, or at least the 2 I could sit through were filmed in the middle of the desert. Its as if 95 percent of their budget went to buying/renting the supercars. The hosts aren't funny and seem awkward together. History Channel's 2010 version started off iffy but became pretty enjoyable as the series went on. That may happen here but it would take a considerable amount of work to get there.
Funny actors do not guarantee chemistry
mnm-6598714 May 2021
I love Dax and Rob. They are both very talented actors with amazing timing. On this show they are terrible. It feels forced. I wish Hollywood would figure out that american car guys are not morons that sit on the edge of the couch with their cheep beer waiting to see something blow up. Ratings must be bad. They've started blowing things up for no reason. They don't even try to work it into the story line. Bring back the original top gear USA trio.
Gives me the old Top Gear feels
benistherealstig25 February 2021
My brother in law recommended I try this show. We are both MASSIVE fans of the original. Neither of us has enjoyed TG in any iteration since Clarkson, Hammond and May left. So I gave this a go, albeit as a skeptic.
The first episode was decent, good enough to watch the second. And from there I've found the show has picked up. The chemistry has big promise. Each episode has been better than the previous, mostly. They're getting there. I just hope this can last a few seasons so it can get a good footing.
As for minor criticisms, I find Rob may not have as much chemistry as Dax and Jethro. But chemistry takes time. Also....send these guys on a road trip to a foreign country! That'll help the chemistry (aka letting us see them annoyed with each other). Great show, tons of promise. Give it a go if you haven't already!
The first episode was decent, good enough to watch the second. And from there I've found the show has picked up. The chemistry has big promise. Each episode has been better than the previous, mostly. They're getting there. I just hope this can last a few seasons so it can get a good footing.
As for minor criticisms, I find Rob may not have as much chemistry as Dax and Jethro. But chemistry takes time. Also....send these guys on a road trip to a foreign country! That'll help the chemistry (aka letting us see them annoyed with each other). Great show, tons of promise. Give it a go if you haven't already!
Abysmal
maxxxsutorius27 February 2021
I used to love cars... until I started watching this show. This show is actually making me lose interest in cars, that's how terrible it is. When I saw Dax on the cast, I got excited that there may be hope. But unfortunately he has proven to be a lame host. The other two guys are just creepy and annoying. Zero chemistry, zero passion, zero interest.
Awesome!
mnlindner18 May 2021
My husband and I are fans of the original Top Gear and were wary of the second (I think) remake of Top Gear America. I am a listener of Dax's podcast and decided to tune in. Matt, my husband, kept his iPods in until I was whooping so loud that he unplugged. We were both in after that. The Kristen Bell van made him a fan. We are loving it so far! We love cars, silliness and fun. Right up our alleys. It's hard to find something we both like and you succeeded. Thank you.
Terribly try, another failure
sikoly0820 March 2021
Finally the original top gear is back on the right track, and than they create this abomination. There is no chemistry, 2 out of 3 has no clue about cars at all. And most importantly it's boring and not funny, therefore it doesn't have any of the qualities of the original series.
Finally got it right
themoviedude_200014 March 2022
The new hosts and format are a great match. The problem with the other American versions is that they were just trying to copy the British version and they were just so fake. This new version is not trying to do that. Great chemistry and I like the new format. Great job.
What is this ???
magnamark18 July 2022
Just plain bad
khahn-9218320 February 2021
Top Gear America, don't compare, just enjoy!
missionaryjex8 August 2022
Is it as good as Top Gear UK with Jeremy, Richard and James, ...well...it's different enough that Top Gear US has its own personality.
It's good though, and significantly better than Top Gear US' previous attempts. Dax is the heart of the show. Rob is the everyman. Jethro is the Expert.
They all have moments that had me rolling with laughter.
It's easy to tell that Dax has a passion not only for anything fast, but for the American automotive industry (something you'd never get from Top Gear UK), this is an important element as US autos have some ground to make up regarding technical performance when compared to their European counterparts, but have improved leaps and bounds. He's the first to give credit to the automakers for improvement.
Rob is excellent as the everyman and does act, to some limited extent, as the Captain Slow of the series. But he's also funny, and his narration is on point. He kind of grounds Dax's perspective and loves cars. What more could you want?
Jethro is Dax's counterbalance. He's the "straight man" of the series (referring to his role and not sexual orientation). He's the most avid driver, and imparts some technical expertise with both his driving and knowledge. He will differ to European auto makers every time, and provide insight from a racing perspective.
Cinematography is on par if not a little better than TGUK (obviously the cameras and effects are 10 years newer). Set-up shots of these cars are drool worthy.
There is a segment on the first episode where there was an "accident", that was so obviously choreographed, so much so that I nearly turned the show off. That, thankfully, was scraped by the second episode.
I'll conclude by remarking that this show is a different flavor than TGUK, by some margin, but it has a heart of comedy paired with great cars. I'm a fan of the presenters, and the cars have been a better mixture of performance and economy. The segments are creative and funny on well trodden subject material.
It's good though, and significantly better than Top Gear US' previous attempts. Dax is the heart of the show. Rob is the everyman. Jethro is the Expert.
They all have moments that had me rolling with laughter.
It's easy to tell that Dax has a passion not only for anything fast, but for the American automotive industry (something you'd never get from Top Gear UK), this is an important element as US autos have some ground to make up regarding technical performance when compared to their European counterparts, but have improved leaps and bounds. He's the first to give credit to the automakers for improvement.
Rob is excellent as the everyman and does act, to some limited extent, as the Captain Slow of the series. But he's also funny, and his narration is on point. He kind of grounds Dax's perspective and loves cars. What more could you want?
Jethro is Dax's counterbalance. He's the "straight man" of the series (referring to his role and not sexual orientation). He's the most avid driver, and imparts some technical expertise with both his driving and knowledge. He will differ to European auto makers every time, and provide insight from a racing perspective.
Cinematography is on par if not a little better than TGUK (obviously the cameras and effects are 10 years newer). Set-up shots of these cars are drool worthy.
There is a segment on the first episode where there was an "accident", that was so obviously choreographed, so much so that I nearly turned the show off. That, thankfully, was scraped by the second episode.
I'll conclude by remarking that this show is a different flavor than TGUK, by some margin, but it has a heart of comedy paired with great cars. I'm a fan of the presenters, and the cars have been a better mixture of performance and economy. The segments are creative and funny on well trodden subject material.
Terribly boring
blingmarine7 February 2021
Great time killer with friends
linasmikalcius30 March 2021
My brother got the MotorTrend channel just for this. It was a good fun. Good mix of humor and driving (a touch too little modding of vehicles). Some episodes were a little more bland and too oriented towards SUV's (but hey this is America) but overall it was really solid. I hope they get renewed, was something to look forward to every week with very little else to do.
Insult to Top Gear
grumpy-8620329 September 2021
Pretty good
tylerc-5217926 March 2021
After seeing all of the UK Top Gear, All of the the 1st American Top Gear and now this show I think we need to give the guys some time to figure it out. The 1st American Top Gear had a bunch of growing pains but ended with some great episodes towards the end.
I think Dax and. Jethro really have a passion for cars and there rivalry is really fun to watch. I really have loved Rob in tons of other shows but he seems a little disconnected to cars and it shows. I would give the show a 10 if they stopped doing cheesy stuff and trying to mimic Clarckson,Hammond and May.
IMO a better idea would have been to just create a new car show with these 3 and let them do what every they want.
Also please review cars that the average person can buy.
I think Dax and. Jethro really have a passion for cars and there rivalry is really fun to watch. I really have loved Rob in tons of other shows but he seems a little disconnected to cars and it shows. I would give the show a 10 if they stopped doing cheesy stuff and trying to mimic Clarckson,Hammond and May.
IMO a better idea would have been to just create a new car show with these 3 and let them do what every they want.
Also please review cars that the average person can buy.
Get hosts that actually want to drive cars
willsak19 June 2021
Get rid of Rob would be a compelling start. Nobody cares about your air guitars and selfies. We do care about your inability or desire to drive the cars.
Then, put back some of the drama and humor that is performance CAR related.
Then, put back some of the drama and humor that is performance CAR related.
See also
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