Tesla has launched an improved steering yoke for its Model S sedan and Model X SUV, featuring a central horn button, refined stitching, and enhanced build quality. Shared on social media, pictures reveal a horn icon situated below the Tesla badge and notably thick, durable stitches on the new yoke.
Tesla Community’s Warm Reception
The electric vehicle community has welcomed the yoke’s redesign, addressing the previous iteration’s shortcomings. Notably, the initial design’s horn activation—a capacitive button vulnerable to inadvertent presses—was a major point of critique. Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk had previously acknowledged this inconvenience, suggesting a software fix to activate the horn by pressing the yoke’s side.
Resolving Material Durability Concerns
Aside from the horn button issue, the original yoke’s material was prone to peeling, leading to warranty replacements. Given the premium pricing of Tesla’s flagship models, the peeling problem was a significant annoyance. This update is expected to mitigate the quality concerns raised by Model S and X owners.
Additionally, Tesla has extended the physical horn feature to the standard round steering wheels of the Model S and Model X. Video footage from Tesla customers confirms the presence of a physical center horn on round steering wheels in the latest models.
Tesla’s steering system upgrades illustrate the company’s responsiveness to consumer feedback and commitment to product improvement, particularly in areas that directly affect the driving experience and perceived vehicle quality.
