Sorry guys ... hate to interrupt your western superior thinking but western tanks were accepted only as a stopgap until enough Russien made material was available. British Matilda's were slow and undergunned, Valentines and cruisertanks were fast bur underarmoured en undergunned, and American tanks, Lee's and Shermans, had the awkward property of bursting into flames when hit, killing all the crew; Sherman was nicknamed "a grave for five brothers".
Once enough T34's became available, the British and American lend-lease tanks were rerouted to training and third rate units! So having all that supposedly superior western technology at their hands and not copying it, stems from bad (DEADLY) experience with it in the field; unreliable extensive need for specialised servicing. Two things you can do without when facing an enemy!
On the other hand, the jeeps and trucks were in high regard, specially the White scout car and the US halftrack were a great improvement for soldiers used to ride into battle on top of a tank!
And Yes you are right to say we are being brainwashed by our governments and their subsidised (not so)free press.
Only in searching deeper and further than the first book or article you my catch a glare of the truth.