Amazon Echo Auto (newest model), Add Alexa to your car

I just acquired a 4WD 2010 Ford Escape as my inclement weather vehicle. It is an XLS, the base model, and mine is really base. No Sirius, no Bluetooth, no navigation, not even USB.I have Sirius XM in my other vehicles and listen to it the majority of the time. I also wanted hands free for safety and convenience reasons and navigation would be a handy feature. As I was looking for hands free devices, I came across the Alexa Auto. As I read more about it, this small reasonably priced device was the answer to all of the features I was looking for.Set-up was a breeze and, fortunately, the one "option" my entertainment system had was an auxiliary input. I had it up and running in no time. By utilizing the Sirius app on my Galaxy S25+ I immediately added satellite radio functionality. I've also been able to make and receive calls and navigate using the phones map functions. Connectivity has been rock solid using the aux cable and I have the added bonus of the car's speakers being utilized as the speaker for the device.Two small nits to pick: I wish the included power adapter was smaller...it is huge. I'm also surprised the device doesn't have an on/off switch.Despite those 2 issues, I love this device. It has taken care of my entertainment needs for this vehicle and modernized/upgraded the car's technology all with one small, relatively inexpensive gadget.

I was so jealous when my mom's brand new car had Alexa built in, so I started searching for ways to hook up my echo in my car and found this snazzy little device! It's perfect! You have to sync it to your Alexa app on your phone and it plays everything thru your car speakers. I have 2017 Ford Escape and this works amazing! When you set it up you can choose which services to sync for music (I synced my apple music account), radio ( I chose my Sirius which I have a subscription for), podcasts (I chose my Amazon Music service), it works seamlessly and I LOVE being able to get information like what's the weather, what's the capital of Italy, whats the joke of the day, Alexa play my audiobook, etc. It's easy to set up and if you are an Alexa fan like me, you will be super happy to have it!

The Echo Auto installed easily and worked great on the first trip out until I pulled the car into a gas station and turned off the engine to get gas. After that, the device would not communicate with my phone's Alexa app, even though the app was active. After searching the web and finding I was not the only one with this problem, I tried all of the suggested solutions, reset the device, reinstall the Alexa app, etc. This worked until I had to turn off the car's ignition. On starting up the car again, the Echo again could not communicate with the Alexa app. What DID work for me was unplugging the device (e.g. removing the USB cable from the cigarette lighter adapter) before turning off the car ignition, and then plugging the device back in only after starting the car. It's annoying to have to remember to unplug the USB before shutting the car; but so far, the device has had no problem communicating with the Alexa app. (If it stops working, I will provide an update.) Clearly can't give it five stars, but aside from this issue, I love my Echo Auto.

Buggy AF, eventually they work out. As soon as in car run the Alexa app on your phone. I use it for streaming music, grocery list etc and opening open source garage doors openers (meross). Buy a USB splitter for glove compartment, the single wire is very easy to hide and route at dash, behind right side steering wheel.

I feel in love with Alexa Auto first generation!So cool until you shut your car off, then it cannot find your phone & you have to forget it on the app & reinstall. Usually in the parking lot of were you've been. Almost every time.So I thought the 2022 version would be better.Same thing! Stressing out like a bad date!Alexa! Are you connected? Unplugging while driveing! Plugging back in. Why ame I doing this with my hands on a "Hands Free" device?I wanted to show it off to a friend. Cannot connect, try later. Later? I'm already home!I suggest buy one when Amazon gets it right!Great when it works! Witch makes it worse when it doesn't!UPDATEAfter Amazon read my review, they called me on the day I was going to return the Echo Auto.The Amazon tech was very nice but talked to me as if I didn't know how to set it up.I was asked keep using it & keep a log of when it malfunctioned & to report it back to them.I agreed not to return it & work with them.I reported back through email.I heard nothing back.Then last week I received an email from "James" at Amazon staying that they want to give me a replacement but they don't have my phone number. They have my number.I followed the link he sent.Left a message & my #.Nothing.I've contacted Amazon several times & was told a technician would contact me within 6 hours.Nothing.So I've kept this defective device for no reason.I think the return window is still open.This purchase has been the worst experience I've ever had with Amazon!The hour's I've spent with so called techs that have never used an Echo Auto & only know the script in front of them.Any issues that have been fixed, came from me.I have the old Echo Auto. I want to give it to friend but I wanna keep that friend.Just plugg you're phone into an aux cable & set your phone to Alexa hands free & save some money & your precious time.Man, have they waisted my time!UPDATEAmazon contacted me again.The tech was very cool & she gave me suggestions as she also owns the Echo Auto 2022.Unplug this, unplug that.Rest this, rest that.This tells me that she has the same problems that I have with this device.3 songs & it disconnects from the phone.The only way I get it to reconnect is to reboot my phone.Not convenient while driving.So, they sent me a replacement.Something I could have done on my own.The new one is worse!It's played 3 songs while parked in my driveway, then lost connection to my New phone.Got it going after an hour & a half, only to disconnect the moment I left the house.Do not buy this!Having spent hours on the phone with the techs, I realized they know it doesn't work right.I would have returned it weeks ago if Amazon hadn't contacted me.They tried but failed.Maybe in ten years they'll figure it out!