New Toyota Prado with Tesla-style ‘yoke’ steering wheel and no pedals revealed

Toyota has unveiled a unique LandCruiser Prado concept with no accelerator or brake pedals – and hand controls on an aircraft or Formula One-style steering 'yoke' similar to some Tesla electric cars.

This Prado concept – which will debut on Toyota’s stand at the Tokyo motor show this week – is almost identical to a standard model, but with a few important differences.

The accelerator and brake pedals have been deleted, and replaced by hand-operated controls on the 'yoke’ steering wheel – similar to an aeroplane or Formula One race car, and used in road vehicles to much criticism by US electric-car giant Tesla.

Toyota says the system – known as 'Neo Steer', and reportedly inspired by motorcycle handlebars – is designed for "unrestricted driving position along with smooth entry and exit", and "safe, intuitive hand-operated driving for users with lower limb impairments."

The Japanese car giant has announced plans to equip certain models with a yoke – most notably the Lexus RZ450e luxury electric SUV, and the Chinese-market version of its BZ4X electric SUV twin – though the way it operates differs greatly from those found in Tesla’s electric cars.

Tesla’s yoke steering wheel is attached to a traditional steering rack – requiring multiple turns from lock to lock – whereas Toyota’s systems have been fitted to a ‘steer-by-wire’ system, providing a steering ratio which can automatically adjust according to the vehicle’s speed, to eliminate the need for hand-over-hand manoeuvres.

The Tesla yoke system drew criticism when it first appeared overseas in the Model S and Model X in 2021, with owners complaining it was awkward to use at low speeds, and lacking traditional indicator, windscreen wiper and gear selector stalks – leading to it becoming an cost option from January 2023, rather than standard equipment.

According to the car-maker, the unique driving layout is designed for drivers with leg impairments, though it can also be used to provide extra space for regularly-abled occupants.

“A sweeping field of vision made possible by the steering wheel's irregular profile, and the roomy pedal-free floor space, enable an unrestricted driving position along with smooth entry and exit,” Toyota said in a media statement. 

“The Neo Steer will help foster greater love for cars, and deliver the joy and excitement of mobility for all. [It] also offers safe, intuitive hand-operated driving for users with lower limb impairments.”

For now, it is understood the Neo Steer system will remain as a concept only, as Toyota has not yet announced any plans to change the production LandCruiser Prado’s interior to adopt the yoke-equipped and pedal-less setup.