The Ovation VI 388 is a budget summer touring tyre with favourable owner comments on value, but mixed grip and tread-life experiences. Wet-road concerns and early understeer recur in a minority of reviews, while comfort and noise do not show a clear consensus.
The quick answer
Owners say77%from 18 owner reviews63% would buy againRead the reviews
Tests saySorry, we don't currently have any test data for the Ovation VI 388
Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tyre - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated February 2025.
Across 18 owner ratings the Ovation VI 388 averages 77%. Owners rate Dry Grip highest at 8.4 out of 10 and Comfort lowest at 7.4. 3 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 53% of owners score it 70% or better.
What is the Ovation VI 388's EU tyre label rating?
Across its range, the Ovation VI 388 most commonly carries EU label ratings of D for fuel efficiency, C for wet grip and 72 dB for noise.
How comfortable and quiet are the Ovation VI 388?
Owners rate the Ovation VI 388 7.4 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 16 reviews.
How well do the Ovation VI 388 wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Ovation VI 388 7.8 out of 10 for wear across 16 reviews. 3 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 1,500 miles.
Would owners buy the Ovation VI 388 again?
63% of owners say they would buy the Ovation VI 388 again, based on the 16 owner reviews that answered the question. 50% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
More questions about the Ovation VI 388(1)
What sizes does the Ovation VI 388 come in?
The Ovation VI 388 is available in 102 sizes, ranging from 165-295/30-60 R15-21.
I'm not aware of a runflat version of the Ovation VI 388
Show all questions(3)
What the treadwear of Ovation VI 388 model, the 195/55R16 91V specifically?
March 10, 2018
Unfortunately we don't have access to treadwear statistics for any Ovation tyre.
I have a 2004 BMW 530i and just bought new Ovation VI-388 tires. Based on the axle load weight, what is the tire pressure I should maintain in the tires?
March 25, 2017
The tyre pressure for the Ovation VI388 is vehicle and load specific. The correct tyre pressure for your vehicle can usually be found on a sticker in the door shut of the driver's door, or in the manufacturer's handbook.
The Ovation VI 388 gives owners a mixed picture, with value receiving consistent praise but grip and wear experiences less settled. Wet grip draws slightly more criticism than praise, with concerns in around one in five reviews, while two accounts describe early understeer when pushed. Mid-life and end-of-life wear reports range from long service to rapid rear wear, sometimes under aggressive or track use, so a typical lifespan is not established. Fuel consumption is criticised in two reviews, although there are no measured comparisons to quantify that concern. Half the 16 reviews are positive overall, but the favourable experiences do not establish uniform grip, comfort or longevity.
What owners mention most counted across 16 reviews
Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.
Owner ratings averaged from 18 ratings
Owner score77%
Dry Grip84%
Handling81%
Wet Grip78%
Wear78%
Road Feedback76%
Comfort74%
Featured reviews
Most helpful 55%
“These tyres came on my car my car is rear wheel drive and the rear ones have already wore out in under 5000 miles on the front they don’t have plenty of tread left, but in cornering they’re a little bit lacking”
“These tyres came ftted to the front of my 2011 Monday. Having only tried on dual carriageway prior to buying I was very disappointed with the performance on the winding roads on the way home. I was concerned at the...”
“Love the tires just gone too soon i put 1700 km on the tires. But!!! I went to the drag strip 4 times drove like i stole them and still they asked for more at the track thry got retarded sticky 2 trips max before they...”
These tyres came on my car my car is rear wheel drive and the rear ones have already wore out in under 5000 miles on the front they don’t have plenty of tread left, but in cornering they’re a little bit lacking
On the road you can fill every crack, even smallest. On wet road you can't start moving quickly, it will slipper, sometimes even on dry roads.
Check out how the BEST all seasons tyres perform against premium summer and winter tyres!
68%
Member
Honda
235/45 R18
7,000 miles
Mostly Motorways
Easy Going
Whilst the overall road handling of the tyre is acceptable and the road noise just tollerable, the increase of fuel consumption is off the planet which is at lease 15% more than conventional brand tyres.
Which tyres do you drive?
Researching the Ovation VI 388? Rate the tyres you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.
Ovation VI 388 fitted to my Skoda Superb Wagon at 40,000km. Now at 105,00km and buying again. 65,000km of trouble-free driving. The road feel has been excellent. 3 x trips across the mighty Nullabor and couldn't fault them. Even towing an 8 x 5 trailer for 5000 km, whilst dodging Nullabor Plain goats and roos. In both the dry and the wet, I have had to break heavily and they have not let me down. Save yourself a grand for that Aussie road trip and give them a try.
ORIGINAL NEW TYRES WERE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA ON BRAND NEW HONDA CITY, FRONTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 52,000 KL . AS LITTLE CHOICE IN THE UNUSUAL SIZE AND THE GREAT DISPARITY IN PRICING I TOOK A CHANCE ON THE OVATION vi 388. WE HAVE NOW DONE 107,250 KL . THE TURANZA HAVE BEEN NOISY SINCE ABOUT 80,000KL HOWEVER NO COMPLAINTS AT ALMOST 8 YEARS OLD AND THIS MILEAGE. NOW IS TIME TO REPLACE BOTH SETS ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. AT 55,000 kl THE OVATIONS ARE STILL FLAWLESS AND WHEN I COME HOME IN THE WET AND TAKE A SHARP RIGHT TURN ON A STEEP DOWNHILL INCLINE TO HOME THERE IS STILL NO HINT OF LETTING GO.
I AM NOW SEARCHING TO FIND 4 MORE OF THESE TYRES, HOPEFULLY AT A SIMILAR PRICE.
Love the tires just gone too soon i put 1700 km on the tires. But!!! I went to the drag strip 4 times drove like i stole them and still they asked for more at the track thry got retarded sticky 2 trips max before they are too gummy . But over all amazing tire for the price definatly not a winter tire! I still have tread left just i know by mid summer i will need another pair especially for another track day
I am looking for another set currently
Went through a set in less than 10000km. I drive alot but these just worn so quickly i didn’t even i time to replace them. Worn down to the cord. Yes they cheap and perform really well for what you get. But they not worth it if you drive more than most people...
Mind you i drive super aggressive, but i had front tires last three sets of rear tires. But of all the tires i gone through these where the worst. However they did perform the best also. Only other negative is they might be a bit to soft when corning. I bit spongy but does mean better comfort.
Member
225/45 R17
I had these also marked "M+S" when I bought my 07 Zafira 2.2 petrol. I went skiing and to my surprise found they worked fine when other people were using chains. I had no idea they were good in snow. Going to replace with the same.
Had these tyres 225/45 R17 on my Megane Coupe TCE180 when I bought the car.
On dry roads, the tyre is fine. Does understeer rather quickly when you start pushing the car in corners.
On wet roads, the tyres had very little grip in corners.
After 2 months, I replaced these tyres with Vredestein Ultrac Satin and it transformed the car in the wet.
These tyres came ftted to the front of my 2011 Monday. Having only tried on dual carriageway prior to buying I was very disappointed with the performance on the winding roads on the way home. I was concerned at the complete lack of feel when turning in to bends. When I got home I checked the tyre pressures were correct and found that they were spot on.
After a few weeks of getting annoyed at the lack of feel and pronounced understeer I swapped the front and rear wheels over. The rear continental sport contact 2s were now on the front. The car was transformed, turn in was sharp and the understeer gone. I got the Ovation tyres replaced by a pair of Continental s and haven't looked back.
I suppose that a very gentle driver who mostly sticks to town driving might be happy with the Ovations but I really found them poor. Wet grip and cornering was also a long way off what I would consider acceptable.
Ask any car manufacturer their opinion of the most important factor affecting their car's handling and they will say "the tyres". If you don't believe me just Google it.
