Tesla Model S and Model X customers can again order a traditional steering wheel instead of Tesla’s unorthodox steering yoke.
Tesla’s online configurator now shows a steering wheel as a free option next to the yoke. It is listed in the “Interior” section, where customers also select an upholstery color.
The yoke appeared in 2021 as part of a refresh of the Model S and Model X that also saw a move to a Model 3-like horizontal center touchscreen, as well as the introduction of Plaid performance variants.
2022 Tesla Model S Plaid
It was initially unclear if Tesla seriously planned to ship cars with the airplane-style control instrument, but the first cars with the yoke were delivered to customers in June 2021. Perhaps not surprisingly, a person’s impressions quickly changed from fondness for the yoke to frustration with the awkward steering.
Awkward isn’t something you want in a car like the Model S Plaid, which has a 1,020hp three-motor powertrain and can accelerate from 0-60mph in just under 2.0 seconds.
Despite the downsides, other automakers have jumped on the bandwagon.
2022 Tesla Model S Plaid
BMW filed a yoke steering wheel patent in 2022. The design with fold-away handles creates more space, BMW said in its patent application. However, the automaker has not discussed plans to use this yoke in a production vehicle.
Lexus actually made that leap and added a yoke to their RZ 450e electric crossover. However, unlike other yoke applications, the Lexus version was designed to be used with a steer-by-wire system, which we thought worked quite well. However, the yoke and steer-by-wire system have not been confirmed for the United States. The RZ 450e starts here as a 2023 model, but with a conventional steering wheel.
