Tesla’s controversial steering yoke, which had been mandatory since the 2021 redesign of the Model S and Model X, is now available as a $250 option. Earlier this year, Tesla made headlines by offering a no-cost regular steering wheel as an option alongside the yoke. It’s worth noting that Tesla CEO Elon Musk once insisted that a traditional steering wheel would never return to Tesla vehicles.
The saga surrounding Tesla’s steering yoke began when the company introduced the new design as the default option on its Model S and Model X vehicles. However, the yoke sparked controversy from the start, with concerns over its legality, safety, and usability in real-world driving conditions. Car and Driver’s review of the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid pointed out that the yoke’s primary issue was that it wasn’t paired with a quicker steering ratio, resulting in awkward maneuvers when starting to turn.
In January of this year, Tesla announced that it was once again offering a traditional steering wheel as an option alongside the yoke. The no-cost option seemed like a clear admission that the yoke wasn’t attracting as many buyers as the company had hoped, with many customers preferring the familiarity of a traditional wheel.
Tesla’s latest move is to make the yoke an optional extra, with a $250 price tag attached. This approach may be an attempt to placate those customers who are still enamored with the yoke’s futuristic look and feel while giving others the option to stick with what they know.
It’s interesting to note that Tesla CEO Elon Musk was once adamant that the yoke would be the only option going forward. In a tweet from July of 2021, Musk responded to a question about whether the company would ever offer a traditional steering wheel again, saying, “No.” It seems that turns the tables have indeed turned, with the yoke now an extra-cost option and the traditional wheel the default.
In conclusion, the story of Tesla’s steering yoke has been a controversial one. While some people appreciate the yoke’s unconventional design, others have criticized it for being uncomfortable and difficult to use. Tesla’s latest move to make the yoke an optional extra with a $250 price tag attached seems to be an attempt to cater to both camps. Only time will tell whether the yoke will continue to be a feature on Tesla’s vehicles, or whether the traditional wheel will reclaim its place as the default option.
