I watched the first episode of Top Gear The Grand Tour a few days ago. I’m not going to write a full review of the episode - I’ll leave that to others - but I will summarize my thoughts below:

The intro showed just how big the budget is for the show

Seriously, just watch the opening sequence.

The “Star in a reasonably priced car” segment looks like it’s gone

Adios, you won’t be missed.

The studio segments need work

I thought some sketches went on for far too long, and the presenters themselves seemed nervous. First episode nerves are to be expected though.

The ‘tour’ is a great idea

New episode, new location, new audience, new tracks, new cars. This almost guarantees that each epiosde will be unique and have it’s own distict feel to it.

Chemistry is everything

I watch the show not for the car reviews, but for the presenters themselves. That is something that Top Gear now has a major challenge in replicating.