The 2022 Toyota bZ4x is the newest electric SUV on the block, an addition to the burgeoning electric vehicle class. It’s modern-looking, like a lot of electric SUVs are, and you can get it with something kind of cool – the new Toyota yoke steering wheel. Yoke steering wheels have been somewhat controversial recently, as in the Tesla Model S steering wheel. Yet the bZ4x yoke steering wheel is a little bit different, and it just might be a big hit.

What is the new Toyota yoke steering wheel?

The new Toyota yoke steering wheel will be available on the 2022 Toyota bZ4x. If someone orders the steer-by-wire driving system, there’s no physical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels. Steer-by-wire means that control systems using equipment like the steering column, belts, and master cylinders aren’t there. The vehicle communicates wirelessly with the wheels of the SUV.

Toyota says that one of the benefits of the drive-by-wire system is that turns will be tighter. That means that drivers won’t have to take their hands off the steering wheel to navigate turns, and the bZ4x yoke steering wheel will be the perfect fit. This is similar to how planes operate, so if you always dreamed of being a pilot, you may love the bZ4x’s yoke steering wheel.

Do you have to get the bZ4x yoke steering wheel?

You do not have to get the 2022 Toyota bZ4x yoke steering wheel. Rather, Toyota bZ4x customers will only get the Toyota yoke steering wheel if they select the steer-by-wire system. Otherwise, they’ll still get the traditional steering wheel.

It will be some time before we see whether the Toyota yoke steering wheel does better than the Tesla Model S yoke steering wheel. The Model S yoke steering wheel hasn’t exactly been a hit. Tesla Model S owners have complained that the Model S yoke steering wheel is awkward and difficult to use precisely. Some Tesla owners have gone as far as replacing the Model S yoke steering wheel with a traditional Tesla steering wheel, found on older Model S cars.

What is the 2022 Toyota bZ4x price?

Toyota hasn’t released the exact 2022 Toyota bZ4x price yet. It’s likely to begin at around $37,000, according to Car and Driver. The base model is the 2022 Toyota bZ4x LE, and it comes standard with a front-wheel drive, single motor engine.

Then there are two higher trim levels. These include the 2022 Toyota bZ4x XLE, which is estimated to start at around $39,000. The top of the bZ4x trim line will be the 2022 Toyota bZ4x Limited. This is probably going to start at around $42,000. You’ll be able to select options like an all-wheel-drive, dual-motor setup, which is likely to increase the Toyota bZ4x price.

It will be interesting to see how people respond to the Toyota yoke steering wheel. If Toyota is right, the bZ4x yoke steering wheel just might pave the way for more steer-by-wire driving systems with yoke steering wheels. Or, it may go the route of the Model S yoke steering wheel, with people having aftermarket steering wheels put on instead.