Go yoke, go broke: Tesla’s aircraft-style steering wheel now four times more expensive

The ‘yoke’ steering control switched from standard to optional for the Tesla Model S and Model X nine months ago – and now the price has quadrupled to $AU1570.

US electric-car giant Tesla has quadrupled the price of its controversial ‘yoke’ steering control for its flagship Model S sedan and Model X SUV sold overseas.

The ‘yoke’ – an aircraft-inspired steering wheel without a conventional top or bottom portion – drew criticism when it first appeared in the Model S and Model X in 2021, with owners complaining it was awkward to use at low speeds, and lacking traditional indicator, windscreen wiper and gear selector stalks.

Tesla performed a U-turn on its decision in January 2023 by making a conventional circular steering wheel standard equipment – and relegating the yoke to a no-cost option – with owners of existing 2021-23 vehicles able to retrofit a circular wheel for $US700 ($AU1100).

The Tesla Model S Plaid’s interior, fitted with the controversial yoke

At the time, the decision represented an about-face from comments made by Tesla CEO Elon Musk in July 2021, when the controversial executive ruled out plans to re-introduce a conventional steering wheel to the company’s flagship vehicles.

Just three months later, in April, it made the yoke a $US250 ($AU390) option to its customers – now CarBuzz reports Tesla has followed this up with yet another price increase to $US1000 ($AU1570), an increase of 400 per cent in less than six months.

The increased cost comes in spite of some owners reporting the yoke’s “vegan” synthetic leather-look covering has peeled off within 20,000 kilometres of driving, with some claiming they have experienced defects in less than 6500km on the road. 

The changes to the ‘yoke’ won’t affect Australians, as Tesla has not sold its updated Model S and Model X locally since the heavily-revised electric cars launched overseas in 2021.

In May 2023, Tesla announced it would not build its updated Model S sedan and Model X SUV for right-hand-drive markets.

In Australia, only classic cars – or specialised vehicles such as heavy machinery or prototype test vehicles – have exemptions for left-hand-drive.

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