The short answer is that it depends on the model year. Early Nissan Quest minivans used different V6 engines than the 350Z, while later Quest models adopted a 3.5-liter V6 from the same Nissan engine family that powers the 350Z. So, some Quest versions share the engine lineage with the 350Z, but not all.
Engine history by generation
First-generation Quest (1993–1998)
Initial Quest models were equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 engine (VG30DE). This engine is not the same as the 350Z’s 3.5-liter V6, so early Quests do not share the engine with the 350Z.
Second-generation Quest (1999–2002/2003)
Later 1990s Quest versions used a larger V6 option, typically around 3.3 liters. While more powerful than the earliest engine, this 3.3-liter setup is not the same 3.5-liter V6 used by the 350Z, and the engine family differs enough to be considered distinct.
Third-generation Quest (2004–2009)
From the mid-2000s, Nissan shifted the Quest to a 3.5-liter V6 (the VQ35DE family). This is the same engine family that powers the 350Z, meaning these Quest models share a core engine lineage with the sports car, though tuning and application differ between models.
Fourth generation and end of production (2011)
In its final years, the Quest continued with the 3.5-liter V6 aligned to the VQ35DE family. This reinforces the shared-engine possibility with the 350Z for these later models, while earlier generations did not share this engine.
Does it share the engine with the 350Z?
Yes, but only for certain model years. The earliest Quest generations used different V6 engines (not the 3.5L), so they do not share the engine with the 350Z. Beginning in the mid-2000s, the Quest switched to a 3.5-liter V6 (VQ35DE), the same engine family found in the 350Z. Buyers should verify the exact engine in a specific vehicle by checking the model year and VIN, as tuning and output vary by application.
Why this matters for buyers
If cross-model engine compatibility or maintenance is a priority, target Quest models from the mid-2000s onward to encounter the 3.5L V6 shared with the 350Z. Always confirm the exact engine designation for a given vehicle, since variations exist across years and markets.
Summary
Across its generations, the Nissan Quest used several different V6 engines. Early Quests did not share the 350Z’s engine, but mid-2000s and later Quest models commonly used the 3.5-liter V6 from the VQ35DE family, which is the same fundamental engine family found in the 350Z. For precise accuracy, check the specific model year and VIN to confirm the engine in a particular vehicle.