Best roadtrip vehicle for 5+ hour drives?

For 5+ hour trips multiple times a year, you want a vehicle that holds up mechanically and keeps you comfortable. Based on the owner data available, the Toyota Highlander is the only one with concrete reported issues, and they are serious enough to steer you away from certain model years. The Honda Pilot and Subaru Outback have no reported problems in the data, but that also means no owner-backed confirmation of their long-haul strengths. If you are open to a van like a Sprinter, that is a different category entirely, and the data here does not cover it.

The Toyota Highlander has a known problem with its 8-speed automatic transmission on non-hybrid gas models from roughly 2017 to 2022. Owners report whining noises and complete failures, with repair costs around $7,000 or more. This is described as very frequent. For someone doing multiple 5+ hour trips a year, a transmission failure mid-trip is a real risk. If you go Highlander, you would need to avoid those model years or budget for that repair. The used price range is $18,655 to $29,616, with a median around $24,539, so you are not saving enough to justify that gamble.

The Honda Pilot has no reported issues in the owner data. That is a neutral sign, not a glowing endorsement. It is a three-row SUV with space for passengers and cargo, which fits long trips well. But without owner reports on reliability or comfort, you are buying on reputation alone. The price range is wide, from $16,294 to $42,712, with a median of $22,951, so there are affordable options. Still, you have no concrete data to confirm it handles repeated highway marathons without problems.

The Subaru Outback also has no reported issues in the data. It is known for a comfortable ride and good visibility, but that is not from owner reports here. The price range is $18,424 to $29,686, with a median of $25,950. For your use case, it could work, but again, you are relying on general knowledge, not specific owner feedback.

Given the data, the Honda Pilot is the safest pick because it has no reported mechanical failures, and its size suits long trips. The Highlander is a hard no for 2017-2022 gas models. The Outback is a reasonable alternative if you prefer a wagon, but the Pilot gives you more space for the same money. Stick with the Pilot unless you find a Highlander outside the problem years.