Tesla introduced the yoke steering wheel in 2021.
The unusual control appeared as part of the major refresh of the Model S and Model X announced in January 2021. Instead of a conventional circular rim, the yoke used a flattened, aircraft-inspired shape that gave the driver a clearer view of the instrument display and created a distinctive visual identity for the updated cabin.
Tesla initially fitted the refreshed Model S with the yoke, including performance-oriented Plaid versions. The design also removed traditional stalks in favor of touch-sensitive controls and other electronic inputs, making the interior more radically different from earlier Model S versions.
The yoke became one of Tesla’s most debated design choices. Supporters liked its appearance and unobstructed dashboard view, while critics found low-speed maneuvering and hand-over-hand turns less intuitive. Tesla later offered conventional steering-wheel alternatives in some configurations, but the original introduction date remains 2021.