Tesla's Yoke Steering Wheel Looks Like A Terrible Mistake

On Twitter, a user posted two videos of himself driving a new Tesla equipped with the controversial yoke-style wheel. The second of the two videos include commentary from the driver. As expected, the most awkward moments come when the driver needs toexecute a U-turnor go around a traffic circle. Over two full rotations are required in some maneuvers and this seems particularly awkward in this Model S.

Not only can't you grip the top of the steering wheel on the inside of the rim - as is often the case with a regular wheel - but your arms end up bumping into each other more than would typically be the case.

Also, you can't simply let the wheel easily slide back into your hands as it returns to the straight-ahead position. The driver did say that things become easier with time and that once you let go of habits formed from using a regular round wheel, matters improve. Still, the yoke design just seems like more of a chore, especially in congested city streets. Coupled with Tesla's reliance on steering-mounted buttons instead of stalks for the indicators, it's a reminder of when BMW revealed theE65 7 Series, a car that made everyday controls as needlessly complex as possible. Based on these videos, Tesla's yoke wheel hasn't done anything to win us over.