Jump Links2003 Nissan 350Z2003 Infiniti G352002 Nissan Maxima2002 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE2003 Infiniti FX352001 Nissan Pathfinder2003 Nissan Murano2006 Infiniti M35Is the Nissan VQ35DE a good engine?What vehicles had the VQ35DE engine?Is the VQ35DE powerful?Is the VQ35 a V6 engine?Nissan's VQ family of engines are lauded as some of the best V6 engines ever made, having won the Ward's 10 Best engines awards 16 times. Originally introduced in the mid-1990s as a replacement for the older VG V6 engines that used an iron-block, the VQ series used an all-aluminum construction.The VQ35DE has won the award six times, and it quickly became the go-to option for all Nissan and Infiniti models in the 2000s. So, here is why the VQ35DE is such an important engine made by the Japanese manufacturer, why it may be one of the best V6 engines ever that changed the automotive landscape in the 2000s, and some of the cars that are powered by it.The cars listed in this article only include the first year of introduction of the VQ35DE in the Nissan and Infiniti lineup. Some models had the engine discontinued and brought back several years later. Why VQ35DE Is The Greatest V6 Ever Made By Nissan Via: NissanThe VQ35DE was first introduced in 2000, and was first used in the Nissan Pathfinder. It utilized an all-aluminum construction and technically had a displacement of 3,498 cc. The VQ stood for the family of engine it belonged to. The 35 referred to the engine capacity when rounded up at 3.5 liters. The 'D' is for the dual overhead cams and the 'E' stands for electronic fuel injection. The Nissan 3.5L had respectable engine specs for its time. It used a 60-degree naturally aspirated V6 layout. It also featured Nissan's continuous variable valve timing control or CVTC and a timing chain instead of a timing belt. The VQ35DE had an oil capacity of 4.7 liters.The reason for the engine's standout credentials was its versatility. The engine can be fitted transversely, longitudinally and even in RWD or FWD drivetrains. The engine can also be used in almost every type of car, from sports cars to school-run SUVs, to even track only race cars. The engine featured in the Formula Renault 3.5 series, Renault Megane Trophy, and various drifting competitions. It was praised when it came to tunability and upgradability.Although it was first used in the Pathfinder, the engine truly became famous when it was introduced in the Nissan 350Z and Infiniti G35. Nissan marketed the Maxima as a "four-door sports car", but when the V6 was used in the 350Z, it gave enthusiasts a RWD sports-car with an engine that was known for its distinctive characteristics. Cars That Used The VQ35DE 2003 Nissan 350Z 2003 Nissan 350Z Coupe Blue Front Angled View Sand DriftingThe Nissan 350Z used the VQ35DE from 2003 till 2006. While it was not the first car to use the engine, putting the engine in a sports car proved its performance and its ability to provide an exciting driving experience. This was also the first time enthusiasts got the engine with a RWD-only drive train in a relatively affordable package.The engine was mounted entirely behind the front axle and featured rack-and-pinion steering with anti-lock brakes. While the car was relatively heavy at 3,200 pounds, the VQ35DE offered plenty of performance in its class against rivals such as the Honda S2000 and Porsche Boxster S. 2003 Infiniti G35 2003 Infiniti G35 CoupeThe G35 was similar to the 350Z in a lot of ways. It was based on the same platform and was RWD. The Infiniti was offered as a more premium version of the 350Z, with both coupe and sedan body styles on offer. While they both also featured the same VQ35DE engine, power figures differed depending on which gearbox option you chose. The automatic made 280 hp, whereas the manual had a power bump to 298 hp. 2002 Nissan Maxima 2002-2003 Nissan Maxima Front 3/4The Nissan Maxima was the first sedan to feature the VQ35DE in the US market in 2002. Surprisingly, it used various versions of the engine all the way till 2023. This makes it the longest model iteration using the VQ35DE as well. The car debuted with 255 hp, which was strong for a four-door sedan at the time. The engine was paired with a FWD drive train here, and while the original car was quick, it did not stand out against its competition of the Subaru Impreza WRX and Acura 3.2TL Type-S.From 2009, the Maxima used a heavily revised version of the VQ35DE that was transverse-mounted until 2023, when the engine produced 300 hp. 2002 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 2002 - 2004 Nissan Altima - rear viewThe third generation of the Altima wanted to challenge the titans of the sedan segment at the time: the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. It decided to use horsepower as its main selling point. The 3.5 SE trim used the VQ35DE and made respectable power for a regular sedan. More performance-focused versions also followed suit, with the Altima SE-R producing 260 hp from the same engine. Used in a FWD layout again, this was one of the most popular cars of the time, with the option of a VQ35DE. 2003 Infiniti FX35 2003 - 2005 Infiniti FX35 - front 3/4 angleThe FX 35 became an early trend setter for its time. Based on the FM platform, similar to the 350Z and the G35, it predated the BMW X6 and Porsche Cayenne Coupe as a sporty luxury crossover. The FX35 was lauded for having an elevated sports car feel and being considerably lighter than its bigger brother, the FX45. The engine was mounted longitudinally in this instance and customers had an option to choose between rear-wheel drive, a rare occurrence for a crossover/SUV, and all-wheel drive. 2001 Nissan Pathfinder 2002 Nissan Pathfinder 1The Nissan Pathfinder was one of the first cars to get the VQ35DE in 2001. Nissan was moving the Pathfinder away from a rugged off-road SUV into a more family-friendly urban SUV, and the Nissan V6 was instrumental in that change. The R50 generation was on sale until 2004 with the VQ35DE. The engine later made a comeback again in 2013 with the R51 generation of the Pathfinder when Nissan transitioned the SUV into a crossover. 2003 Nissan Murano 2003-2005 Nissan Murano Front 3/4The Murano was pivotal in defining the midsize crossover segment in America at the time. It shared a similar platform to the Nissan Altima and Maxima. The VQ35DE was altered away from its sportier uses, in favor of its linear power delivery and smoothness. One of the Murano's unique traits was the pairing of the engine with a CVT, which was uncommon on crossovers and SUVs at the time. With an option for all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, the Murano proved yet again that the VQ35DE could be used in almost any layout and body style. 2006 Infiniti M35 2006-2007 Infiniti M35 Front 3/4The M35 was Infiniti's attempt to take on the mid-size luxury sedans from Germany such as the 5 Series and E-class. The M35 was yet again based on the same FM platform. The VQ35DE was paired with a five-speed automatic transmission and refinement was the main objective here. The engine was tuned for smoother power delivery and quieter noise levels in the cabin. The M35x introduced all-wheel drive, and the car was praised for its sporty feel, while maintaining balance and stability expected of a luxury sedan.This list only mentions some of the models featuring the VQ35DE, but it proves that the engine was one of the most versatile V6 engines ever made by the Japanese company. It defined their model line up in the early 2000s and was even reintroduced decades later on some models. FAQs Is the Nissan VQ35DE a good engine? Yes, the Nissan VQ35DE is an award-winning engine known for its versatility. What vehicles had the VQ35DE engine? The VQ35DE is featured in almost 13 major models in the USA, and over 35 models globally. Notable models include Nissan 350Z, Infiniti G35, and Nissan Maxima. Is the VQ35DE powerful? The VQ35DE is fairly powerful for its time, with a horsepower range of 228–300 hp. Is the VQ35 a V6 engine? Yes, the VQ35DE is a naturally aspirated V6 engine made by Nissan.