Critical response

The Amazing Race 17 received mixed-to-positive reviews. Andy Dehnart of reality blurred wrote that its was "an average (at best) season, one plagued by a consistent lack of surprise, few actually challenging challenges, and a lot of stupidity."[23] Scott Von Doviak of The A.V. Club wrote that "the season has been somewhat less than amazing, exhibiting the same flaws that have plagued the last several editions of the long-running series: lackluster challenges, repetitive airport and taxicab drama, too many unlikeable teams, too many equalizing points along the route, and a distinct lack of suspense at the end of too many legs."[24] Luke Dwyer of TV Fanatic wrote that this season had "an unusually likable cast. Only a handful of contestants were the kind you actively root against and even those were tamed by The Amazing Race standards. Instead we were treated to a cast without a dominant group, but one that was easy to root for."[25] In 2016, this season was ranked 3rd out of the first 27 seasons by the Rob Has a Podcast Amazing Race correspondents.[26] Likewise in 2021, Jane Andrews of Gossip Cop also ranked this season as the show's 3rd best season.[27] Val Barone of TheThings ranked this season as the show's 2nd best season.[28]