Top Gear review roundup: Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc fail to impress in revamped show

'In many respects it was a pale imitation of the previous hosts' popular show, and in others it was a very enjoyable programme about cars'

(PA)

Perhaps the new Top Gear series was always doomed to fail - indeed, how does one revive a show in which its previous personalities were so central to its success?

Viewers, largely, seemed a little abhorred by the lack of chemistry between its new hosts, branding the series premiere as a "borefest": particularly when it came to host Chris Evans' near-constant shouting.

Critics, however, were perhaps a little more tempered; though they were largely left unimpressed by the show's seeming lack of effort to inject anything new into the Top Gear formula.

Some, though, reasoned that it's unfair to entirely condemn the show in such early days; reasoning that, over time, the camaraderie between presenters will eventually settle and the show will hopefully gain its own stride.

The Independent - Sean O'Grady

"It is all pointless, hackneyed and tired. Yes, I realise that is like Top Gear always has been, but what spark of originality there once was is now missing. They don't seem to be having as much fun playing with cars, this new lot."

The Guardian - Sam Wollaston

"It’s not a disaster. It’s polished, the stunts (so many of them!) are fun, the tweaks are improvements. But it is a shame there wasn’t more in the way of refreshing the show itself. It’s just new people doing same old same old."

Digital Spy - Tom Eames

"The first episode in this new era was a strange affair. In many respects it was a pale imitation of the previous hosts' popular show, and in others it was a very enjoyable programme about cars. It just depends what you're here for. From the opening pow of the 'Jessica' theme tune, to Evans's bizarre Clarkson impression in the intro, it just felt like they were trying too hard to copy what came before them."

The Telegraph - Gerard O'Donovan

"No doubt some diehards will conclude that the new Top Gear was like choosing between a classic car and a plastic reproduction – what was gained in ease of use was lost in character. Others, myself included, will moan that the format was already in need a major revamp and this relaunch was much too cautious and unimaginative."

The Mirror - Ian Hyland

"If the BBC ’s plan was to bring Top Gear out of the caves and into the modern world - while still retaining the original spirit of the show - even the most fervent Evans hater would have to admit it burned rubber more times than it crashed and burned."

Gizmodo - Tom Pritchard

"Even if new Top Gear stays exactly the same as tonight's episode for the foreseeable future, it's not going to be the end of the world. Obviously things were going to change with the new presenters, but it could have been a lot, lot worse. They could have missed the point entirely and made just another car show. They didn't, which I'm grateful for. It's certainly not perfect, but it's not utterly awful either. It's just what it is"

You can read our blog of the first episode of Top Gear, as it happened, here.