The first thing you notice when looking at Tesla’s new steering device is that it’s not round. Instead of a continuous, circular bar, the yoke begins in one hand and ends in the other, leaving the top open so as not to impede your view of the gauge screen behind it.

After initial test drives, Consumer Reports is not a fan of the new contraption. Ten drivers of different genders and sizes tried using the yoke, and all of them had complaints.

Some had difficulty holding on to it. Others noted a decrease in control while making quick decisions at high speeds. Signals, high beams, and the horn were all unintentionally pressed, thanks to touch-sensitive, flush-mounted buttons.

And remember: these are trained drivers who were solely focused on driving the car at the time. Keith Barry, the Consumer Reports staff member who wrote the review, sums it up best in his first line.

“My hands hurt,” he says.

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Tesla’s other, better innovations

MORE: Tesla, Car of the Future—but Maybe Not so for Younger Drivers

When you’re set on pushing technology forward, you’re bound to make a mistake or two along the way. Thankfully, most of Tesla’s experiments have turned out for the better.

The electric car company is best known for leading the auto industry’s transition off of fossil fuels, and they continue to make strides in the area. As of now, they offer the EV with the best battery range, the Model S Long Range Plus, which has an EPA-rated range of 402 miles.

But that’s not the only part of the industry the brand has pioneered. They were also the first automaker to automatically update software for vehicles through the Internet as most computer software companies do now. Like the race to extend EV range, other brands have followed suit.

The cost of owning a Tesla

MORE: How Much Does It Cost To Insure Your Tesla?

Tesla began by offering cars well into the luxury market. The first models from the company cost over $100,000. Since then, the brand has diversified its price range. Their Model 3 starts under $40,000.

Despite the brand opening access to people in lower tax brackets, Teslas are still appraised by insurance companies as luxury vehicles, meaning that premiums remain high. Tesla has responded to this by providing drivers with brand-specific

car insurance

options, but choosing Tesla insurance isn’t always the best option for Tesla owners.

If you want cheap car insurance for your Tesla, go to

Jerry

. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and will even help you cancel your old policy.

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Written By

Andrew Koole · Expert Insurance Writer

"B.A., English Literature, MedAndrew Koole is an insurance writer who specializes in writing automotive news articles. Andrew’s mission is to create informative and instructional content car owners can use to reduce costs, master repair skills, and learn more about the automotive industry. Andrew has published over 600 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from automaker history to car insurance deductibles. Before joining Jerry in 2021, Andrew split his time between freelance writing in the entertainment and travel industries and creative writing in poetry and fiction. His writing is featured on a variety of arts and travel websites, including his own Ponytail Press.

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