People need to draw the distinction between Clarkson the TV personality (gobby, deliberately provocative) and Clarkson the journalist (thought provoking, intelligent, knowledgeable). There's also Clarkson the person, but I've never met him so couldn't comment.
Clarkson the TV guy is hideously irritating and to be taken with a massive pinch of salt. Clarkson the journo is one of the best writers of his generation, and I could read his stuff for years.