London, September 2026: Malaysia’s spectacular landscapes, extensive road network and extraordinary variety of experiences make it a compelling destination for travellers who believe the journey should be every bit as memorable as the destination.
Now, the country’s appeal as a driving destination has been put firmly in the spotlight by the new 2026 series of The Grand Tour, which premiered globally on Amazon Prime Video on 4 September 2026.
In the second episode, Sweat, Sports Cars and Singapore, presenters Thomas Holland, James Engelsman and Francis Bourgeois cross from Singapore into Malaysia in three sports cars costing less than £5,000, before travelling north through Peninsular Malaysia towards the cool, cloud-covered Cameron Highlands.
Their approximately 350-mile adventure provides the inspiration for a road trip that reveals a different side of Malaysia – taking travellers from the southern state of Johor through the energy of Kuala Lumpur and into the mountains of Pahang, with Malaysian food, communities, heritage and landscapes encountered along the way. And with Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 inviting travellers to discover more of the country, there has rarely been a better time to take to the road.
For British holidaymakers, self-driving has another advantage: Malaysia drives on the left, making getting behind the wheel immediately more familiar, while the 748km North-South Expressway forms the backbone of road travel along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
START THE ENGINE: JOHOR
Following The Grand Tour route, the Malaysian adventure begins after crossing the border from Singapore into the southern state of Johor.
One of the programme’s first major stops is Forest City, the vast coastal development overlooking the Straits of Johor, where the presenters put their bargain sports cars through their paces in their own makeshift “Forest City Grand Prix”.
But Johor rewards those who venture beyond the highway. Travellers can extend their journey to discover the state’s coastline, traditional food and extraordinary natural landscapes. To the west, Tanjung Piai National Park protects an important mangrove ecosystem at the southernmost tip of mainland Asia, while Johor Bahru offers a lively introduction to contemporary Malaysian city life. From here, the road turns north.
ON THE ROAD: DISCOVERING MALAYSIA’S HOME-GROWN CAR CULTURE
One of the unexpected stars of The Grand Tour’s Malaysian journey is not a landmark, but the people the presenters meet along the way.
After leaving Johor, the trio encounter Malaysian motoring enthusiasts driving modified cars – including examples from home-grown manufacturer Proton – and discover a passionate community built around cars, creativity and personal expression.
It is a reminder that road travel can reveal aspects of a destination easily missed when flying from city to city.
Malaysia’s automotive story is itself part of the country’s modern identity. Proton was established in 1983 as Malaysia’s national car project and went on to become one of the country’s most recognisable brands. Today, Malaysia’s enthusiastic modification, motorsport and owners’ communities add another dimension to its contemporary culture.
Travelling north also brings visitors onto Malaysia’s North-South Expressway, which stretches for 748km along the western side of the peninsula, linking Johor with Kuala Lumpur and destinations further north.
Rather than simply a means of getting from A to B, a Malaysian road trip provides the freedom to leave the main route, explore smaller towns, stop for local food and watch the landscape transform along the way.
NEXT STOP: KUALA LUMPUR
The road leads next to Kuala Lumpur, where gleaming skyscrapers, historic neighbourhoods, temples, mosques, markets and some of Southeast Asia’s most exciting food sit side by side.
The Grand Tour discovers another side of the capital through Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant motoring community, meeting local enthusiasts and experiencing the city’s drifting and modified-car scene.
For visitors, the car can stay parked for a day or two while Malaysia’s capital takes centre stage.
Explore the historic streets around Merdeka Square, discover the colourful neighbourhoods of Chinatown and Brickfields, look upwards beneath the Petronas Twin Towers, browse the city’s markets and, importantly, arrive hungry.
Kuala Lumpur’s food reflects the multicultural story of Malaysia itself. Malay, Chinese and Indian influences come together with countless regional traditions, making everything from a roadside stall to a late-night mamak restaurant part of the experience.
And there is one Malaysian flavour that makes a particularly memorable appearance in The Grand Tour: durian.
Known throughout the region as the “king of fruits”, durian becomes part of one of the programme’s driving challenges. Visitors can undertake a considerably less adventurous introduction by seeking it out at one of Kuala Lumpur’s fruit markets or specialist durian stalls when in season.
FROM CITY STREETS TO MOUNTAIN ROADS
After the bright lights of Kuala Lumpur, the landscape changes dramatically as the journey turns towards Cameron Highlands in the state of Pahang.
Around three hours by car from Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands rises approximately 1,500 metres above sea level, replacing tropical city heat with cooler mountain air, rolling tea plantations, vegetable farms, forests and winding roads. For drivers, getting there is part of the attraction.
Two principal approaches lead into the Highlands. The original route from Tapah is the more winding option, passing waterfalls, roadside markets, religious shrines and Orang Asli communities as it climbs into the mountains. Alternatively, drivers can continue further north on the North-South Expressway before taking the newer route from Simpang Pulai, with broader, gentler bends and spectacular views across the main mountain range and mist-filled forests.
It is here that the Malaysian journey in The Grand Tour reaches its dramatic conclusion, climbing through cloud and lush mountain scenery.
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: TEA, TRADITION AND AN UNEXPECTED BRITISH CONNECTION
Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysia’s most distinctive landscapes. Its sprawling tea estates, strawberry farms, vegetable terraces, forests and Tudor-inspired architecture reflect both the agricultural traditions of the highlands and aspects of its colonial-era history.
Stop at BOH Tea Plantation to look across seemingly endless rows of tea bushes and learn how Malaysian tea makes its journey from leaf to cup. Explore the highland towns of Ringlet, Tanah Rata and Brinchang, browse local produce markets or venture towards the ancient, atmospheric Mossy Forest near the summit of Mount Brinchang.
For British visitors following The Grand Tour, however, there is another wonderfully unexpected connection waiting beside the road: Land Rovers.
The programme encounters ageing Land Rovers associated with Cameron Highlands’ farming communities. The rugged vehicles became particularly well suited to transporting produce across the steep agricultural terrain and remain a distinctive sight around the Highlands.
Seeing British automotive heritage woven into everyday Malaysian highland life creates a fitting final chapter to a road trip inspired by one of Britain’s best-known motoring programmes.
MAKE THE JOURNEY YOUR OWN
The route seen in The Grand Tour is only a starting point. With a hire car and a little more time, travellers can turn the journey into a wider exploration of Peninsular Malaysia.
Break the Johor–Kuala Lumpur journey in Melaka, around two hours south of the capital, to discover a UNESCO World Heritage city shaped by centuries of Malay, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences.
Continue beyond Cameron Highlands and Ipoh offers heritage architecture, limestone landscapes and one of Malaysia’s great food cities, while George Town, Penang, opens up another world of celebrated street food, multicultural heritage and creative culture.
It means a Malaysian driving holiday can be as long or as spontaneous as travellers choose: city one day, rainforest the next; street food for lunch followed by afternoon tea in the highlands; modern skylines giving way to tea-covered mountains in a matter of hours.
As Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 showcases the country’s culture, nature, food, heritage and warm Malaysian hospitality to the world, taking to the open road offers visitors the opportunity to go beyond the traditional itinerary and experience that diversity at their own pace.
Because in Malaysia, sometimes the best part of arriving is everything discovered along the way.
THE GRAND TOUR-INSPIRED MALAYSIA ROAD TRIP AT A GLANCE
Singapore → Johor / Forest City → Kuala Lumpur → Cameron Highlands
Extend the adventure: Add Melaka between Johor and Kuala Lumpur, or continue north from Cameron Highlands towards Ipoh and Penang.
FOR MOTORING FANS
Further adding to Malaysia’s motoring appeal, the Sepang International Circuit, located just outside Kuala Lumpur, continues to put Malaysia on the international motorsport map. The former home of the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix remains one of Asia’s best-known racing circuits and hosts a busy calendar of international motorsport events.
For visitors inspired by The Grand Tour, Sepang provides another natural addition to a Malaysia driving-themed itinerary, connecting the country’s contemporary car culture with its rich international motorsport heritage.
ENDS
For more media information, please visit the Tourism Malaysia corporate site at https://www.tourism.gov.my
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Editorial Notes:
Travel Information:
Malaysia drives on the left-hand side of the road, making self-driving familiar for UK visitors. Car hire is widely available from major airports and transport hubs. International visitors should check current Malaysian driving licence and International Driving Permit requirements before travelling.
Malaysia’s North-South Expressway extends for 748km along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, with rest areas, petrol stations and EV charging facilities available along the route.
For more information and inspiration for planning a Malaysian road trip, visit the official Tourism Malaysia website.
About Tourism Malaysia:
Tourism Malaysia, officially known as the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, operates as an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. Tasked with the comprehensive promotion of Malaysia as a prime tourism destination, Tourism Malaysia has established itself as a prominent entity within the global tourism landscape. Its efforts have borne fruit, with Malaysia attracting a significant influx of tourists, registering an impressive 26.1 million arrivals in 2019 alone. This places Malaysia firmly among the ranks of the world's leading tourism destinations. For more information visit: https://www.tourism.gov.my
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