The much maligned Sherman was not as unpopular with its crews as is often thought. It was a good infantry tank (in that its HE capacity was good), and its reputation as a 'Tommy Cooker' or 'Ronson' was largely in the early versions which had petrol engines; by Normandy most had diesel and the chances of flamers was less. Steel plate, sandbags, track links etc were also added to the tank structure to prevent penetration, and due to the high production rates, while tanks were often KO'd or disabled, the crews normally got out and had a new vehicle within a day or two.
The up-gunned 17-pdr Firefly, which the US never used, also proved a match for many German MBTs by mid-Normandy campaign.
This contrasts strongly with the German experience; while most German tanks were superior technology, by 1944 they suffered problems with ammunition and fuel supply, which often rendered them useless. You can have the best armoured and best gunned tank in the world; if it has no fuel or ammo, its just a lump of scrap metal!
I would also add that even the 88mm didn't penetrate every time; my father was in a M4 Sherman OP tank in 1945 when it was struck by an 88 which bounced off! Otherwise I wouldn't be here now!!!
