The Nissan Quest does 19.2 mpg combined (17 city, 23.3 highway), which works out to about $2,000 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3.5L 6-cyl does 20.3 mpg while 3.3L 6-cyl does 17.5 — a difference of $302 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Nissan Quest engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Nissan Quest ranges from 20.3 down to 17.5 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $302 a year across 3 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 18.1 / 24.8 | 2004–2017 | $1,892 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 15.8 / 21.2 | 1993–1998 | $2,133 | |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 15 / 21.8 | 1999–2002 | $2,194 |
What that actually costs
The Nissan Quest burns a gallon every 19.2 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 625 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.167 |
| Fuel per year | $2,000 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,000 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$70 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,361 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Nissan Quest gives up 6.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 23.3 out there against 17 in town, a 37% drop worth $611 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 17 mpg | $2,259 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 23.3 mpg | $1,648 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.3 mpg (37%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Quest changed over the years
The Quest peaked in 2017 at 22 mpg (20 city, 27 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2002 at 17 — 5 mpg apart, or $514 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2017 car does 22. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2016 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2015 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2014 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2013 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2012 | 19 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2011 | 19 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2009 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2008 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2007 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2006 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2005 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2004 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2002 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2001 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2000 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1999 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1998 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1997 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1996 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1995 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1994 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1993 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 23 EPA ratings of the Nissan Quest — 3 engines across 1993–2017. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,361. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Nissan Quest get?
19.2 mpg combined on average — 17 in the city and 23.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1993–2017.
How much does a Nissan Quest cost in fuel per year?
About $2,000 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,000 over five years, or 0.167 dollars a mile.
Which Quest engine is the most economical?
The 3.5L 6-cyl at 20.3 mpg, against 17.5 for the 3.3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $302 a year.
Is the Quest good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Quest figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Nissan Quest is $3,361 against the $2,000 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 22 and 17 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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