REVIEW – Toyota got a lot right with my Tacoma, but the factory infotainment system is not one of its stronger features. That is a common story in older vehicles. The hardware may still be solid, while the screen, apps, and phone integration feel years behind. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto help, but only if the connection is reliable and easy to live with.
That is the problem the CARLUEX PRO+ Wireless CarPlay_Android Auto Adapter tries to solve. It takes a vehicle that already has wired Apple CarPlay or wired Android Auto and adds wireless phone connection, Android 13, streaming apps, storage expansion, and optional cellular data support. At $339.00, with a limited time discount code P80 for an extra $80 off, it is priced like a serious upgrade rather than a simple adapter. After testing it, I can see the appeal on paper, but the day to day experience did not win me over.
What it is
The Carluex Pro+ is not meant for every car stereo. It requires an existing wired CarPlay or Android Auto USB port, so it is best thought of as an add on computer for compatible factory systems. Carluex offers a compatibility quiz on its site, which is worth using before considering the purchase.
Inside the black retail box, the adapter is protected by fitted foam. The packaging looks more premium than many small car accessories, and the device itself makes a good first impression before it ever reaches the dashboard.
Box contents
- Carluex Pro+ device
- USB-C to USB-A cable
- USB-A to USB-C adapter
- Quick Start Instructional Guide
Core specs and apps
- Processor: 8-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon Processor
- Operating System: Android 13
- Pre-installed Apps: Netflix, Youtube, Hulu, Disney+, HBO, Chrome, Google Map, Waze
- Storage: 64GB of internal storage, expandable up to 128GB with a MicroSD card
Hardware tour
The Carluex Pro+ has a compact black ABS plastic body with a lightly sparkled, smooth finish. The big circular LED area on top is the main visual cue, and the overall design is simple enough to tuck near a USB port without looking out of place.
The front USB-C port connects the adapter to the car’s wired CarPlay or Android Auto input. Internally, the 8-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon Processor and Android 13 make it feel more like a tiny Android computer than a basic wireless dongle.
On the opposite side are the TF card slot and SIM card slot. The TF slot expands storage, while the SIM slot lets the Carluex use its own wireless data connection, much like a phone.
The bottom has vents plus a circular textured area to help the adapter stay put. Heat management matters here because this is running Android and media apps inside a small enclosure.
Setup and connection
Setup is intended to be plug and play. I connected the Carluex Pro+ to the vehicle’s designated CarPlay or Android Auto USB port, then followed the pairing steps for my phone. The exact flow can vary by vehicle and phone, but the basic process is straightforward.
In general use, the adapter connected to my stereo in about 30 seconds. The LED begins red and changes to blue once the connection is established.
Using it in the truck
The first connection was quick enough that I was optimistic. Unfortunately, that was the high point. The Carluex Pro+ promises wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, apps, streaming, and storage expansion, but the interface and reliability made it feel more complicated than helpful.
The Carluex user interface is crowded and not well explained. Icons and widgets appear without enough guidance, and I could not customize the layout in the ways I expected. I could not simply rearrange the widgets or remove the pieces I did not want.
The pre-installed apps created another layer of trial and error. Many of them need their own data connection, either through a separate SIM card or by using the phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot. The hotspot option means the phone is handling data for the Carluex apps while also supporting CarPlay or Android Auto through the adapter, and that brought noticeable lag in many apps. A dedicated SIM card should help, but it also means another data line and signing into all of those apps again on the Carluex even though they are already signed in on the phone.
There were smaller annoyances too. When using Spotify, album art did not appear on the Carluex screen. Instead, the Carluex logo spun endlessly. When media apps were active, my vehicle’s instrument panel stopped showing the song name and only displayed CARLUEX.
The settings menu also did not solve much for me. Because this is an Android 13 device, there are many settings, but very little explanation of what they do or whether any of them address the problems I saw.
The biggest issue was connection stability. The Carluex Pro+ frequently disconnected from my system after small bumps or jolts. Android Auto adapters can be sensitive, but this unit dropped more often than any other Android Auto adapter I have tried, including the stock port and cable. By the end, the simpler factory Android Auto setup felt limited but less frustrating.
What worked
- Works out of the box with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Compatible with a large number of media apps
- SD Card Slot allows expanded functionality
What did not work
- Loses connection frequently
- Requires separate SIM card for best experience
- Instructions and documentation seriously lacking
- Quite expensive
Final thoughts
I wanted the Carluex Pro+ to be the kind of upgrade that makes an older stereo feel new again. Instead, the $339.00 adapter gave me a cluttered interface, frequent disconnects, app lag, missing media information, and a setup that works best only after adding a separate SIM card and data plan. If you specifically want simplified versions of apps like YouTube, Netflix, or Hulu on a compatible car screen and do not mind managing another connected device, it may still interest you. For me, the money would be better saved for a more complete vehicle entertainment system upgrade.
I’ve tested a handful of these by now. See The Best Car Tech Accessories I’ve Tested for the full rundown.
Price: $339.00 (Limited Time Discount: Enter discount code P80 to get an extra $80 off)
Product Link: CARLUEX
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by CARLUEX.
CARLUEX did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
