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Summer tire Summer Touring tires Updated May 2026

Ovation VI 388 review

The Ovation VI 388 is a polarizing budget-tier tire that offers exceptional value for money, frequently surprising users with its dry grip and longevity. While many drivers report high satisfaction and impressive mileage, others cite significant concerns regarding wet-weather handling, increased fuel consumption, and inconsistent performance under aggressive driving conditions.

Relative score
79/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
77/100
18 reviews
Ovation VI 388
Scores

Two scoring systems, side by side

Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.

By owner reviews

77%
Would buy again 68%
Dry
Overall dry
84%
Corner stability
81.5%
Dry traction
85%
Steering response
76.5%
Wet
Overall wet
78%
Wet traction
81%
Comfort
Overall comfort
74%
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
78%
Handling
Overall handling
81%
From owners

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 18 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.

The Ovation VI 388 is a polarizing budget-tier tire that offers exceptional value for money, frequently surprising users with its dry grip and longevity. While many drivers report high satisfaction and impressive mileage, others cite significant concerns regarding wet-weather handling, increased fuel consumption, and inconsistent performance under aggressive driving conditions.

Pros

  • Excellent value for the price point
  • Strong dry road grip and handling
  • High tread life and durability for many users
  • Surprisingly capable in varied temperature ranges

Cons

  • Significant increase in fuel consumption reported by some users
  • Inconsistent wet-weather traction and tendency to understeer
  • Lack of steering feedback and road feel
  • Rapid tread wear when subjected to aggressive or track-style driving

Worth knowing

  • Users with high-torque or rear-wheel-drive vehicles reported faster-than-average rear tire wear.
  • Drivers of wagons and family vehicles reported high satisfaction with long-distance touring and towing capabilities.
  • Performance-oriented drivers noted that the tire's soft compound can become overly 'gummy' and wear rapidly during track use.