Top Gear Versus Fifth Gear: Which British Car Show Is Better?
April 9th, 2007 by Ed Lau |I thought I would take a moment today to answer the question that really is on the minds of everyone across the nation: which British car show is better? By now, everyone probably knows that I’m a huge fan of BBC’s Top Gear but I also watch Channel Five’s Fifth Gear…usually when TG is off the air, which seems to be more often than not in recent years because of Clarkson’s bad back and Richard Hammond crashing at almost 300MPH. It’s not that I don’t like Fifth Gear because I do but I simply prefer Top Gear. Every car enthusiast watches one of the two or both. There are those that believe Fifth Gear is the superior show in many ways so I thought I would look closer at both and give everyone an in-depth breakdown. We’ll split up the categories into two…categories: production (the show itself) and presenters (the hosts).
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1. Production - Location: Top Gear is filmed at Dunsfold Park, an old airfield that has been converted into a racing circuit and the news/random rambling segments are held in a converted aircraft hanger. I don’t know about you but I think that’s just absolutely perfect. It’s a setting synonymous with speed and while it does look like a bit of a sparse soundstage at times, the hangar is well decorated with Top Gear historic memorabilia such as the indestructible Toyota truck. A couple seasons ago, Fifth Gear adjusted their format a bit to compete with Top Gear since the inane conversations between the hosts make them incredibly popular. Most recently, they have moved their home-based to a cafe on a race track. They’re both very cool locations since the Fifth Gear set is very homey and colorful while the Top Gear hangar just has all kinds of awesome stuff lying around. Unfortunately, Top Gear will not be back at Dunsfold Park next year as their lease is up but it is quite exciting to see a whole new set. Verdict: Tie
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2. Production - Segments: Fifth Gear is a much more grounded show, with fewer supercars and more sensible econoboxes. What they don’t have is a Bugatti Veyron racing a plane from Italy to London or idiots seeing if they can buy a car for less than a 100 quid. This isn’t to say that Fifth Gear doesn’t have interesting films. Oh, by no means since I found stuff like the visit to the Maybach dealership and the world’s most expensive car wash interesting but they don’t feel epic in scale like the films on Top Gear, which most recently threw the three hosts into downtown Miami, told them to buy cars for $1000 and then complete a series of challenges while they drive from Miami to New Orleans. Both shows have a good deal of celebrities but Top Gear attracts more star power with their weekly Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment. Verdict: Top Gear.
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3. Production - Information: With that being said, Fifth Gear, being the more sensible show, does provide more useful information, especially for living in Europe. They review more cheap cars and film more segments with actual news. Top Gear on the other hand, answers questions such as how many bouncy castles you can jump in an ice cream van. No, I’m serious. Verdict: Fifth Gear
4. Production - Film Style: While both shows use fancy filters and such to emphasize the cars, Top Gear obviously has a higher budget and a better film crew. The photography on the show is often absolutely stunning, especially on their cross-continent races. Oh, and the camera keeps moving around during Fifth Gear’s news segments which is really annoying. Verdict: Top Gear.
5. Production - Entertainment: The first thing you’ll notice about Fifth Gear when you watch is that it seems so much more stiff and scripted. While there are some genuinely exciting and funny moments, they are few and far between compared to Top Gear, which is about entertainment first, information second. Top Gear is easily one of the most entertaining hours of television you can find today. Everything is far more ridiculous and there’s just a sense of grandure to the whole thing. Verdict: Top Gear.
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6. Presenters - Charisma: Fifth Gear just isn’t funny, which is a shame because the British have a fantastic, ironic sense of humor, something that Top Gear takes full advantage of. Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond have a great chemistry, like three regular guys talking cars. Their personalities off-set each other well with May being sensible and old-fashioned, Clarkson being obsessed with power and…kind of an idiot and Hammond as a sort of everyman that most young people can identify with compared to the two oldies. While Tiff Needell is definitely a cool guy and Vicki Butler-Henderson…well, it’s hot when a girl can powerslide better than me…they don’t have the same appeal as the hosts of Top Gear. Everyone else on Fifth Gear is kind of like a pylon, especially the new guy: Tim Lovejoy, who is just plain boring. Oh…and Top Gear has a cute dog…named Top Gear Dog. Verdict: Top Gear…by a lot.
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7. Presenters - Credibility: No one on either show is really an expert when it comes to cars. Most of them are journalists with a great love for cars but that’s like me saying I have a great love for surgery. You wouldn’t really want me to give you a new heart valve. However, Tiff and Vicki were once professional racers which gives them the slight edge, especially since Clarkson usually just gives his incredibly biased opinions on everything anyways. He’s got star power going for him but I think most people would rather have Tiff’s opinion. Verdict: Fifth Gear.
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8. Presenters - Driving Skill: Again, Tiff and Vicki were pros and drive better than Clarkson. James May is nicknamed Captain Slow (although he has shown an affinity for speed at appropriate times such as maxing out the Bugatti Veyron) and Richard Hammond isn’t spectacular either, although he is above average. Jason Plato, who was a presenter on Fifth Gear until last season was also once a pro racing driver. The only person with possible racing credentials on Top Gear is The Stig but since we don’t know who he is or if he is just one person (he might even be Tiff…), we can’t seriously factor that in. Verdict: Fifth Gear.
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The tally gives Top Gear a 4-3-1 edge over their Channel Five rival but personally, the race wasn’t that close. As with everything, there are intangibles involved. Fifth Gear is wildly inconsistent with their programming as one episode might be good but two others might be snorefests. There are entire segments of Fifth Gear that you just don’t want to watch while the boys of Top Gear can make paving a road entertaining (which they do in the season premier for season 9). There’s rarely a dull moment on the BBC show. Top Gear is also much more…believable. While the show is probably scripted, you never think it is since Clarkson, May and Hammond have such a great rhythm and they have a serious passion for cars. I have no doubt that Tiff loves driving and Vicki giggles affectionately every time she finds a great car but they don’t convey it as well.
So say what you want about how they promote irresponsible driving or hurt the environment by running over moss or melting polar bears but as a television show, Top Gear wins by a mile. And on that bombshell, it’s time to end. We’ll be back tomorrow.
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Entries (RSS)
I frikken love Top Gear!
I live in the States and I love Top Gear!!! I have never heard of Fifth Gear though…
I thought you were the king of the Interweb, Saman.
I find Top Gear so much more entertaining than Fifth Gear. I was pretty disappointed with this season except for the Miami Road trip\Challenges.
I loved the Alabama/Red Neck episode!
That guy’s face was priceless. How fast was he going to get an expression like that? could you imagine what would happen if a fly found its way into his path?
Top Gear has got to be one of the best shows ever made. That’s coming from an American who is bombarded with TV shows with million+ dollar budgets, most of which are not in the least bit entertaining.. Clarkson, May, and Hammond have perfect chemistry and they find a way to make nearly everything funning and entertaining. One of the most remarkable things about Top Gear is the production quality of the show. Most of the reviews are simply amazing and oftentimes breathtaking. All-in-all the show has everything from humor to celebrities to speed. I only hope they continue to make them.
FYI…I also watch Fifth Gear but only when Top Gear is on break or I am really bored.
Absolutely, the directors/producers on Top Gear are top notch. The use of filters and mix of film speeds give the show its signature look.
Article said, “especially since Clarkson usually just gives his incredibly biased opinions on everything anyways.”
I agree with this, and this statement (being true) is enough to make me like Fifth Gear much, much more. However, I’m not only watching the show to be entertained; I want to learn about how the cars actually are. An “incredibly biased opinion won’t tell me much about how the cars actually are — the show only tells us what not to buy for Clarkson should any of us want to buy him a car. LOL!
That Vicki Butler-Henderson on Fifth Gear is a hoot and I enjoy seeing her track drive various things from Miatas to the 18-wheeler truck. I’ve enjoyed seeing Clarkson do the show from time to time, but he’s too over-the-top for me and I think he comes off as a jackass quite often. In contrast, I think Vicki comes across as more genuine and fair, she has a great TV personality, and she’s a whole lot better to look at than windbag Clarkson. But to each their own. Fifth Gear is the much better show.
You are incorrect about where Fifth Gear is shot.
It is not as you state “a cafe on a race track”, rather the Ace Cafe, situated on the North Circular ring road, which is definantly not, in any way a race track (you can try, but the Met Police don’t take kindly to it!)
Its quite historic, as it was a popular meeting place for Rockers in the 60’s
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_Cafe
so now you know
Pete
My mistake. I thought “North Circular Ring Road” was some kind of track when VBH mentioned it on the show.
What kind of dog is Top Gear dog?
Top Gear Dog is a Labradoodle (Labrador + Poodle mix).
what if people dont like labradors or poodles
…then you don’t…have to get a Top Gear Dog…
Well played, Ed.
I believe that this review is weak and has multiple errors.
I watch both shows here in the States and though I appreciate them both, I find that Fifth Gear comes out on top. For simple entertainment and oft than not sophomoric humor Top Gear wins hands down. However, with that humor comes the often grating nature of Jeremy Clarkeson, who despite being a dyed in the wool long time car nut and car journalist makes watching Top Gear painful when he is in a bad mood or doesn’t want to go along with the producers instructions. Top Gear is entertaining but to be more exact, it is entertaining for those who know little about cars and whose interest lies mainly in the spectacle of the hijinx.
It was misstated in the review that only Tiff Needel and Vicky Butler Henderson having racing credentials. To clear this up I will go through in order. More information regarding this can be found on Wikipedia and on the Fifth Gear website. Tiff Needel started in motor racing working his way all the way to Formula 1 in 1979 in which he drove two races. Vicky comes from a family of racing drivers going back two generations which takes you to the very beginning of motor racing. Vicky started racing at the age of 12 and at some point moved into instruction and then into journalism. Jason Plato, Tiff’s younger mirror, is currently a racing driver in the BTCC championship, which he entered in 1997. He won the championship in 2001 and is poised to win it again this year.
Since the removal of Tom Lovejoy, Fifth Gear has improved markedly. The addition of Johnny Smith means that there are twice as many excellent “normal” car reviewers available to Fifth Gear. It shows too. Tom Ford and Johnny Smith manage to make even the most mundane machines interesting but without pulling any punches.
The irony of the situation is that this rivalry is the product of Channel Five closing down the earlier Top Gear program that had combined mainstays of Tiff, Clarkeson, and VBH. Overall, this rivalry is for all our benefit. Those who feed on primarily thrill and base humor get to enjoy Top Gear. Those who actually enjoy driving and the technical side of cars (or are just a little more mature) can take both at the right time. Another benefit of this matter is that those who really enjoy cars have an opportunity to see more of them reviewed. Though the major headlines are covered on both shows, the difference in the more mundane releases allows those who don’t necessarily have the time to keep up on all the industry news, a glimpse at more than the super cars.
I live in the States have a plethora of lame shows but Top Gear provides what many shows of their kind lack and much more; humor, sarcasm, SUPERCARS, excellent reviews, crazy match-ups (Veyron vs. Plane anyone?) and lively interviews. Motor Trend along with C&D have some of the driest shows to speak of, not to mention those rednecks over at 4X4 of Off-Roading. Keep on Rocking TOP GEAR!!! Can’t wait for the new set!
Fifth Gear is decent, but if one host isn’t too busy chuckling all the time, the other is putting me to sleep with his monotone voice.
[...] dashboard is an LCD that switches from boring ol’ car mode to super awesome jet fighter mode. Top Gear showed this off a couple weeks [...]
Top Gear is in another Class compared to 5th gear, if 5th gear and top gear were cars in a race, top gear would be miles ahead, just by using the biting point, 5th gear doesnt even stand a chance
Top Gear is the best show ever, they show many different kinds of cars, and have fun doing so. I love the show, as with my Mother whom hates everything on TV. Check out some of the bloopers on utube - bloody classic!
yeh thanx fo da info..il chek those blooper out..by the way did you watch the africa special…thats what i call a CLASSIC episode, ima put that one on dvd..it too funny
hmmm top gear the best….recent episode take the presenters compete for 24 hours endurance same like le mans….even stig join them…and we as viewers can feel the tension and joy of the race…..way to go top gear….
I think both shows deserve a watch,and Vicki is so damn sexy!
I love top gear dog he is so cute! and i love top gear because it is the best program ever ever ever!!!
Top Gear Dog is a girl, actually. =)
I’ve recently compared Top Gear and Fifth Gear, to be honest, I fell asleep when I watched Fifth?! Technical aside, it lacks of humors and Clarkson’s ‘biased’ and ’sarcastic’ opinion on certain cars that he never like, IS THE ENTERTAINMENT. I don’t care if Fifth Gear hosts by Lewis Hamilton, Dale Earnheart Jr and Tommi Makkinen, since i’m looking for entertainment… not for watching a Concept Jaguar or Aston Martin DB9 driven by a sleek sexy fox, who’s a former racer, which I would never have one of those cars as long as i live. For watching Top Gear, I don’t give a slight mind about buying the car at all.
And as a media person, I loveeeeee the way the show being served, the camera work, the editing, the soundtrack, Top Gear is a pinnacle of top-form media entertainment, not just a car review program.
I agree with John previously, Fifth Gear’s presenters skill on driving cars, are not actually the one that we’re looking for. The blokes from Top Gear, on the other hand, actually represent the common marketing target for Brit’s consumers. Jeremy, to be very obvious, represent those rich people who actually gonna BUY those supercars, while Hamster, transmits the need of the youngsters for transportation, well sometimes he drives supercars, but then May, well, Captain Slow is a guide for oldies out there……
you are right…. Top gear is just an awsome show…i mean car fans loves it…but if other people watch it… they will still like it…not so much with fifth gear tho… in short…. just like the word of Jeremy…(in the show where they do the new 911 turbo)….i respect fifth gear…but my heart is with Top gear…..
top gear, just for lol’s ……………….. i love the stig!!!!!
death to fifth gear
Who is fifth gear. How can you compare the coolest car show on tv to a no name show.
Since fifth gear is the most intolerable to loathsome shite I have ever seen aired on national television… I’d say top gear is most definitely the greatest thing ever aired
i thinki that topgear is the best show fith gear is just not funny i does not5 have the same4 as top gear and the stig can beat any fith gear person