Tesla steering yoke now four times pricier

Tesla is known for its fluctuating retail prices, but the American EV specialist has now gone one better and upped the US price of its controversial steering yoke – four times over.

Available for the Tesla Model S sports sedan and Model X large SUV in North America, the aircraft-inspired steering yoke first appeared on the flagship models in 2021 before being relegated to a no-cost option in January of this year following complaints from displeased customers.

In April the yoke was promoted from a no-cost option to a $US250 ($A390) optional extra, but has now been upped to a hefty $US1000 ($A1559) with no justification.

In its own coverage of the move, American outlet CarBuzz cited numerous cases of customer-reported quality issues with the unconventional tiller, including degrading of the surface materials after just 4000 miles (6437km).

US consumers have also had issues with the tiller’s basic operation, describing it as cumbersome to use at low speed and frustrating regarding its controls – or lack of.

This feedback prompted Tesla to reinstall a traditional steering wheel as standard equipment on the flagship models – hence its previously mentioned move to a no-cost option – and even offer a retrofittable unit to owners of 2021-2022 vehicles (when the yoke came standard), albeit for $US700 ($A1091).

Australian owners have no need to worry though, since the yoke has never been offered here – and will never be, following the axing of right-hand drive production for the Model S and Model X in May this year.

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