It’s been a packed week in the Openpilot community, with not one but five new driving models dropping in rapid succession. From the latest refinements in the Down to Ride (DTR) series to the release of Simple Plan Driving and a surprise return from the Tomb Raider series, drivers had plenty to test and debate.
Here’s a breakdown of what each model brought to the table—and what the community is saying after real-world testing.
Down to Ride v4
Released: July 7, 2025
DTRv4 focused on improving low-speed smoothness and braking. For many testers, it delivered an ultra-smooth lateral experience—some even mistook it for NNLC-enabled.
Community Praise:
- Smooth lateral feel even during tight turns
- Improved braking for stop signs and traffic lights
- Low-speed torque upgrades enhanced urban driving
Issues:
- Curve handling remains inconsistent, especially in larger vehicles like Rivian
- Lane hugging varied by car
- Overcautious braking in residential zones
Bottom Line: A comfort-focused model that’s great for city driving but still struggles with precise curve handling.
Down to Ride v5
Released: July 8, 2025
DTRv5 is built on v4 with fixes to right-turn recentering and subtle improvements to steering dynamics.
Improvements:
- Quick, confident right-turn recentering
- Better stop sign performance
- Responsive steering in tight environments
Ongoing Issues:
- Curve handling still lacking—left turns especially wide
- Occasional phantom leads
- Inconsistent braking in slow traffic
Bottom Line: A decent upgrade over v4 for neighborhood driving, but DTR3 may still hold the edge for sharper handling.
Simple Plan Driving
Released: July 9, 2025
Simple Plan Driving arrived as a clean, smooth-driving alternative. While its lateral control felt relaxed, its longitudinal performance stood out.
Community Highlights:
- Best braking and acceleration feel so far
- Solid highway lane centering
- Handles stoplights and signs reliably
Weaknesses:
- Lateral control can feel sluggish
- Occasional phantom turns and green light hesitation
Bottom Line: Great for highway and traffic-heavy routes. Smooth, stable, and easy to trust for longer commutes.
Tomb Raider 15 (TR15)
Released: July 9, 2025
The surprise return of the Tomb Raider series brought TR15, aiming for highway stability and refined longitudinal control.
Strengths:
- Strong highway lane centering, especially for angle steering
- Smooth longitudinal behavior
- Better turn recentering
- Traffic light behavior is functional (though not perfect)
Concerns:
- Lateral control is weaker than top models
- Occasional right-lane hugging
- Overcorrections on winding roads
Bottom Line: A solid highway-focused model. Suitable for longer drives where consistent lane holding is more important than aggressive curve handling.
Tomb Raider 15 Revision 2 (TR15v2)
Released: July 11, 2025
Just two days after TR15 dropped, a quick policy update arrived as TR15v2, targeting lead detection issues and improving overall behavior.
What’s Improved:
- Better lead detection—fewer ghost leads
- Strong longitudinal performance, praised for smooth braking and acceleration
- Refined torque application for better steering authority
- Improved highway lane centering for some vehicles
Issues Persist:
- Ping-pong effect at highway speeds reported by many
- Right-lane hugging remains common
- Lazy left turns and occasional curve struggles
- Lane centering is inconsistent on some vehicles
Bottom Line: TR15v2 refined following and braking, but still left some testers reverting to older models due to lateral instability.
Final Thoughts
With four model releases in a single week, Openpilot’s model scene is evolving fast. Whether you’re chasing buttery smooth braking, sharper turns, or highway stability, here’s how they compare at a glance:
| Model | Lateral Feel | Longitudinal Behavior | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTRv4 | Smooth, but curve issues | Strong stoplight braking | City and suburban streets |
| DTRv5 | Faster turns, still wide | Decent but inconsistent | Errand loops, residential roads |
| Simple Plan | Mellow, slightly sluggish | Smoothest braking yet | Highway, traffic-heavy routes |
| TR15 | Good highway centering | Stable, functional long | Highway-focused driving |
| TR15v2 | Mixed lateral, solid long | Improved lead following | Highway and daily traffic |
Each model offers a different balance of comfort, responsiveness, and reliability. What works for one vehicle might not work for another—so as always, test, tune, and share your feedback.