Few engineering achievements in the modern automotive era have proven as durable — or as decorated — as a well-sorted V6. Yet one engine family stands above the rest when it comes to industry recognition: the Nissan VQ. If you follow powertrain engineering at all, you’ve likely heard of Ward’s 10 Best Engines (recently returned as the Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems), the annual list published by Ward’s AutoWorld that has been a benchmark of powertrain excellence since 1994. Earning a spot requires rigorous evaluation by a panel of editors who weigh horsepower, torque, fuel economy, and the adoption of new technologies — and the Nissan VQ V6 has earned more spots than any other engine in the list’s history.
Many iconic engines have appeared multiple times on the list since its inception in 1994, and there is a clear winner by number of appearances: the Nissan VQ V6 engine. This engine family has appeared 16 times, with two specific variants accounting for 13 of those appearances. Those two variants are the VQ30DE and the VQ35DE — selected 7 and 6 times respectively. We look at both versions of the engine and examples of the vehicles that use the platform, from the Nissan Maxima to an SUV and even a purpose-built racing car.
The Engine – Nissan VQ30DE / VQ35DE
Nissan VQ engine, closeup of blockVia: Nissan
Nissan VQ Engine (VQ30/35 DE)
Engine
VQ30DE
VQ35DE
Engine Layout
3.0-liter, naturally-aspirated 60° V6
3.5-liter, naturally-aspirated 60° V6
Bore/stroke
93 mm x 73.3 mm
95.5 mm x 81.4 mm
Engine block/head
Aluminum block, Aluminum heads
Valvetrain
DOHC, 4 valves x cylinder, VVT
Power
189-227 horsepower (hp)
228-300 hp
Torque
205-217 lb-ft of torque
246-274 lb-ft
Launched in 1994, the Nissan VQ engine is an all-aluminum V6 produced in a range of displacements from 2.0 liters up to 4.0 liters, with some variants also available with forced induction. The line has a well-earned reputation for reliability, and several variants have earned Ward’s Best Engines recognition — but the two standout models remain the 3.0-liter VQ30 and the 3.5-liter VQ35. Relatively light, durable, and strong, the VQ family is flexible enough to serve in a remarkable variety of applications, from front-wheel-drive sedans to trucks and the iconic 350Z.
Its power and torque figures won’t blow you away by today’s turbocharged standards, but as a sturdy and dependable powerplant, the VQ was good enough to appear on Ward’s list for 12 consecutive years — more than any other engine — with a couple of additional appearances in later years. While other engines such as the Pentastar have featured 7 times, the VQ30 and VQ35’s combined 13-year stint remains unmatched.
The VQ30DE (1995-2001 Ward’s Best Engines Winner)
Appearing 7 times on Ward’s 10 Best Engines list, the VQ30DE returned every year from the list’s debut until 2002, when the 3.5-liter version took over. The 3.0-liter engine appears mainly in sedans such as the Nissan Maxima and Cefiro-based models such as the Infiniti I30, as well as some minivans not sold in the US, such as the Presage. It was also offered in turbocharged and twin-turbocharged forms (labeled the VQ30DET and VQ30DETT). In the latter configuration — used exclusively in motorsport — the twin-turbo version could produce around 500 horsepower.
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Maxima
Engine
3.0-liter, NA V6
Power
190 hp
Torque
205 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, FWD
Transmission
5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic
The Nissan Maxima first incorporated the VQ30DE engine with the fourth generation, both arriving for the 1995 model year. The North American Maxima skipped the 2.0-liter V6 option and received only the 3.0-liter. This front-wheel-drive, mid-size sedan offered modest power, but the VQ30 delivered adequate performance for its class. The Maxima later received an upgrade to the 3.5-liter VQ35DE. The 2023 model year marked the end of the line for the Maxima, as declining sedan demand led Nissan to discontinue the eighth-generation model alongside many others.
Dallara SN01
Dallara T02 racing car, front quarter viewVia: LinkedIn via Greg Robb
Dallara SN01
Engine
3.0-liter, NA V6
Power
410 hp
Torque
372 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Mid-engine, RWD
Transmission
Sequential transmission
A compelling example of the VQ’s adaptability, the Dallara SN01 (also known as the T02) was an open-wheel racer built by the Italian constructor using the Nissan V6. It served as the spec car for the single-marque World Series by Nissan championship from 2002 to 2006. Although naturally aspirated, the engine — prepared by an external specialist — produced 410 hp. Aerodynamics and low weight were central to the car’s performance, as is typical of open-wheel machinery. It remains a striking demonstration of how much power can be extracted from the VQ platform without resorting to forced induction.
The VQ35DE (2002-2006 / 2016 Ward’s Best Engines Winner)
Nissan VQ35DE engine block, plain backgroundVia: Nissan
Nissan’s 3.5-liter variant, the VQ35DE, appeared a total of 5 times from 2002, picking up directly where the VQ30DE left off. It later earned one additional appearance in 2016, bringing its total to 6 nominations on Ward’s list. Slightly larger in displacement than the 3.0-liter, it offered more power and torque — making it well-suited to SUVs such as the Nissan Pathfinder and Murano, the Infiniti QX4, as well as the Maxima and luxury sedans like the Infiniti G35. Ward’s credited the Infiniti G35 in most of those years, with the Nissan Maxima and Altima nominated on two occasions. The 3.5-liter uses a different bore and stroke compared to the VQ30DE but shares a similar overall architecture, with a notable addition being a variable valve timing system.
Nissan 350Z
Nissan 350Z
Engine
3.5-liter, NA V6
Power
287-300 hp
Torque
260-274 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front engine, RWD
Transmission
6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic
Nissan chose to power the 350Z with the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6. It was a traditional sports car, stepping in to succeed the aging 300ZX. Available as both a coupe and a roadster, the 350Z received a power bump later in its life through minor revisions to the VQ35, and various trims were offered over the years, including a NISMO variant. Later models came with the VQ35HR, which featured a range of improvements that pushed output to over 300 hp.
The Nissan 370Z succeeded the 350Z, carrying a 3.7-liter engine from the same VQ family until the model was retired after 2020 and replaced by the current Nissan Z. With a 0–60 mph time in the mid-five-second range, sharp handling, and a design that still turns heads, the 350Z is a testament to how well the VQ engine adapts to very different vehicle roles.
Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan Pathfinder
Engine
3.5-liter, NA V6
Power
240-250 hp
Torque
240-265 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, FWD/AWD
Transmission
5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic
The Nissan Pathfinder is a mid-size SUV that put the VQ35 to good use, carrying the engine through its third generation until the fourth-gen Pathfinder adopted the larger 4.0-liter VQ40DE in 2005. It produced modest power and torque, tuned for the demands of a heavier SUV. The engine was also shared with the contemporary Infiniti QX4. Now in its fifth generation, the Pathfinder continues to use a 3.5-liter VQ engine — now the VQ35DD, which adds direct injection. This long-running SUV is a fitting example of the VQ doing what it does best: serving as a dependable, low-drama workhorse.
The VQ Engine Today — Still Relevant?
Close
Nissan’s VQ engine lives on today, though in a much narrower lineup. Many variants of the VQ family have been discontinued as the industry’s shift toward downsizing left the naturally aspirated V6 increasingly challenged on fuel efficiency and emissions. It remains a popular choice for engine swaps and tuner builds, but its mainstream role has shrunk considerably. The Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Infiniti QX60 still carry the engine in current production. One of the most memorable late-chapter uses was in the Nissan 370Z, which held onto the 3.7-liter VQ37VHR right up until the model was retired.
The engine also featured in other models such as the Nissan Skyline and a wide range of Infiniti products, though it was beginning to show its age in the 370Z toward the end of that car’s run. Following the industry’s broader push for improved economy and lower emissions, the new Nissan Z arrived with a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 called the VR30DDTT. This VR engine family evolved directly from the VQ lineage and extends to the 3.8-liter turbocharged unit in the Nissan GT-R and the all-new Infiniti QX80.
Honorable Mention: Chrysler Pentastar Engine
Pentastar engine, closeup of block, with Torqueflite transmissionStellantis
Chrysler Pentastar
Engine Layout
3.6-liter, naturally-aspirated 60° V6
Bore/stroke
96 mm x 83 mm
Engine block/head
Aluminum block, Aluminum heads
Valvetrain
DOHC, 4 valves x cylinder
Power
275-305 hp
Torque
251-269 lb-ft
Behind the VQ30/35 series in the Ward’s 10 Best Engines rankings sits the Pentastar V6, which earned recognition for 7 years: from 2011 to 2013 and then again from 2017 through 2020. The Chrysler Pentastar V6 is capable of 300 hp in naturally aspirated form and was produced in three displacements — 3.0-liter, 3.2-liter, and 3.6-liter — entering production in 2010. Chrysler’s workhorse appeared across many Stellantis products, from the Chrysler 300 to the Pacifica, the Dodge Durango to the Challenger, and the Jeep Wrangler to the Ram 1500.
While it’s another versatile and reliable unit, it is perhaps surprising that the Pentastar remains in production today, as it increasingly looks dated alongside modern 2.0-liter turbocharged and hybrid powertrains. A case in point is the 2.0-liter GME engine from the Stellantis family that, thanks to a turbocharger, can produce 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque from just 55% of the Pentastar’s displacement. Ultimately, the march toward electrification and tighter emissions standards will render both the Chrysler Pentastar and the Nissan VQ obsolete — but their impressive careers and the sheer breadth of vehicles they powered speak for themselves.
