Tesla's Controversial Yoke Steering Wheel Now Costs $250

Tesla Inc TSLA introduced a change to its controversial yoke steering wheel, making it an optional feature and charging a $250 premium for those who want it, as shared by Electrek. 

When Tesla first unveiled the new Model S with the yoke steering wheel, the design sparked debates about its shape and the absence of a drive stalk for selecting drive mode.

Though some initially believed Tesla would introduce a nonlinear steering curve enabled by a steer-by-wire system to mitigate the steering wheel's issues at lower speeds, the Model S Plaid was launched with a regular steering ratio.

Many assumed this design would be problematic in some driving situations, where the shape could be dangerous, making it difficult to execute quick maneuvers. But many long-time users of the yoke claim to appreciate its comfort and ease of use.

Yoke allows unobstructed view of the screen

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 29, 2021

While CEO Elon Musk has defended the yoke steering wheel as providing "better visibility," Tesla started offering a regular round steering wheel to new buyers earlier this year and began providing retrofits for existing buyers at a cost of $700.

More recently, Tesla made the round steering wheel the standard option for the Model S and Model X, with both round and yoke wheels available at the same price.

Photo: Courtesy of Tesla