Why this craze for square steering wheels?

Long regarded as merely a functional organ, the steering wheel has become a realm of stylistic experimentation.

Flattened shapes, aviation-inspired yokes, or almost square designs: in recent years, manufacturers have multiplied their approaches to reinvent an element that has remained unchanged for over a century. However, this quest for originality raises a simple question: must a steering wheel really stop being round?

The idea is not new, though. As early as the 1970s, some manufacturers experimented with steering wheels of atypical shapes. The lukewarm reception of this innovation quickly dampened the industry’s enthusiasm. Until electrification, semi-autonomous driving, and electronic steering technologies brought the topic back to the table.

Fun or useful?

https://mobiwisy.com/innovation-in-english/lexus-revolutionizes-the-steering-wheelTesla popularized the concept of the “yoke,” while Lexus adopted it in some versions of the RZ. More recently, Peugeot has entered the debate with its spectacular Hypersquare steering wheel, currently on display in the paddock of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Presented as one of the possible evolutions of the future i-Cockpit, this device takes on a nearly rectangular shape and also relies on electronic steering technology without mechanical linkage.

The argument put forth by manufacturers is often the same: with increasingly direct steering and steer-by-wire systems eliminating the traditional steering column, it is no longer necessary to turn the wheel at large angles.

On paper, the idea holds up. In practice, it is divisive. A round steering wheel offers a key advantage: it allows the driver to instinctively know where to place their hands and maintains a permanent reference during maneuvers. Angular shapes, on the other hand, can disrupt this perception and require additional adaptation.

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• 09/06/2026 9:07

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