The driving yoke for the Tesla Model S and Model X can now be bought for $250. This year, Tesla removed the controversial yoke, which had been required since a redesign in 2021, and replaced it with a regular steering wheel as a free choice. In a funny twist, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, once said that a standard steering wheel probably wouldn’t be used again. The ongoing disagreement at Tesla over the steering wheel. Tesla decided to put a standard steering wheel back on the Model S and Model X in January of this year. It was a free choice, just like the yoke-style wheel, which had become required for both models after their 2021 facelifts. The steering wheel cut-off can now be bought on the Tesla online configurator for $250. From the beginning, there was disagreement about whether or not the steering yoke was allowed, which only worsened things. After that, critics and allies had different ideas about how reliable and safe the system would be in real-world driving. The main problem with the yoke, which we discovered when we tested a 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid for Car and Driver, is that the company didn’t pair it with a faster steering ratio. This made us reach for the wrong side when turning, which was uncomfortable. Elon Musk’s words from July 2021 are the most ridiculous part of the yoke fuss. Musk said “No” when asked directly on Twitter if a standard steering wheel would be available again. It looks like the turns have stopped because a traditional steering wheel is not only back but also the norm. Also, people who back the yoke must now pay $250 to show they mean what they say.
