The Grip Says It All

Some steering wheels feel wrong the moment you grab them, while others leave you wondering where they've been all your life. This is a look at both the oddballs that got it wrong and the sleek ones that nailed it from the start. Let’s begin with the steering wheels that drivers often wish they could steer clear of.

1. Oldsmobile Toronado (1990)

Rectangular wheels aren’t inherently awful, but Oldsmobile’s execution here was a mess. Gripping this chunk of plastic felt unnatural, especially in tight corners. It looked like a rejected prototype from a digital dashboard era that never happened. Even General Motors called it “advanced.”

2. Pontiac Trans Sport (1995)

Remember those sci-fi movie props from the early ‘90s? Pontiac apparently used one as a mold. The oval shape lacked comfort, and the buttons were out of reach or just plain ugly. It was form without function, and even the form was questionable.

3. Fiat Multipla (2003)

Few interiors match the Multipla’s absurdity, and the steering wheel joined the circus. Its bulky center and mismatched button layout screamed chaos. You didn’t just steer—you faced confusion. Still, it perfectly matched the car’s unapologetically oddball character.

4. SsangYong Rodius (2005)

You know it isn’t nice when the wheel looks aftermarket and not in a good way. Weird proportions, uninspired design, and some of the cheapest materials this side of a garden hose made this one hard to love. It made the budget look bleak.

5. Jeep Compass (2006)

Early Compass models clearly forgot to call the design department. Thick-rimmed and plasticky, it lacked the rugged charm Jeep was known for. Touchpoints felt like overinflated pool noodles. Thankfully, later models cleaned up the mess with a vastly improved wheel.

6. Toyota Yaris (2007)

Minimalism can be sleek—just not here. The steering wheel in the 2007 Yaris looked like it belonged in a student driver simulator. Oversized airbag housing and bland materials made it forgettable at best. Toyota kept things strictly functional, not fashionable.

7. Chrysler Sebring (2009)

Why fake wood on a steering wheel? Chrysler’s answer remains a mystery. The wheel clashed with every other trim element in feel and finish. Touching it felt like touching vinyl from a 1980s office desk. Chrysler was trying to upscale it, but missed.

8. Nissan Juke (2013)

What should have been sporty turned out stubby. The Juke’s flat-bottom wheel was unconvincing, its grip areas oddly shaped, and nothing quite aligned ergonomically. While the rest of the cabin was full of flair, this felt like an afterthought in an otherwise wild design.

9. Mitsubishi Mirage (2015)

Hard plastics and barren real estate defined the Mirage’s wheel. It looked and felt like a placeholder without any media controls or personality. You got the sense that the steering input was barely the only thing it could handle. These steering wheels were designed for cost-cutting.

10. Smart ForTwo (2016)

Compact cars don’t need compact design thinking. The ForTwo’s wheel was a lopsided mess, with an oversized center and confusing button placement. Ironically, it stood out more than the dashboard itself, but for the wrong reasons.

Some wheels didn’t stand a chance, but not all is lost. Let’s shift gears and talk about the ones that got it right.

1. Ferrari F355 (1995)

This was the last Ferrari with a simple, unadorned wheel before tech took over. Slim, leather-wrapped, and unburdened by buttons, it was a treat for the eyes. Drivers also admired the feel and finesse.

2. BMW M3 E46 (2000)

Everything about the E46 M3 screamed balance, and the steering wheel was no exception. Thick-rimmed with natural thumb contours, it delivered perfect tactile feedback. You didn’t need to look down to know where your hands belonged—it just made sense.

3. Audi TT Mk1 (2002)

The first-gen TT brought Bauhaus minimalism to the road, and the wheel was its centerpiece. With exposed stitching, brushed aluminum touches, and no-frills symmetry, it nailed aesthetic purity. This one looked like it was lifted straight from a design museum.

4. Mazda RX-8 (2004)

With its three-spoke design and embossed rotary logo, the RX-8’s steering wheel felt sporty without being flashy. The rim was precisely thick, and the thumb rests gave just enough grip. It was a thoughtful detail in a car full of quirks.

5. Porsche 911 (997) (2005)

The 997 generation married classic Porsche elegance with modern style. Its wheel was compact and beautifully sculpted. It was mechanically sound in the best way and reminded you of Porsche's history.

6. Aston Martin DBS (2009)

Using the finest leather with elegance and muscle, the DBS wheel looked like it belonged in a priced car. Its hand-stitched finish provided sophistication. With that look and feel, the wheel was clearly made to impress every single driver.

7. Lexus LFA (2011)

The LFA’s carbon-fiber wheel aimed for precision. It screamed attention to detail with its flat-bottom design, magnesium paddle shifters, and leather suede grip. Every turn reminded you this was no ordinary Lexus; this was engineering theater.

8. McLaren 720S (2017)

Nothing feels out of place here. There are no buttons on the 720S wheel, deliberately. It’s minimalist to keep your focus where it belongs: the drive. The wheel has perfect geometry and an organic grip—a rare example of restraint from a hypercar.

9. Mercedes-AMG GT (2018)

This steering wheel was a control hub. Alcantara-wrapped with rotary dials and digital screens, it balanced luxury and speed. Even with all the tech, it still felt like a proper driver’s interface, not a gadget-laden gimmick.

10. Corvette C8 (2020)

Radical in form and function, the squared-off C8 wheel raised eyebrows at launch and won everyone over. Ergonomically clever, beautifully stitched, and unapologetically modern, it matched the car’s leap into the mid-engine era. Love it or not, it’s iconic now.