So I got a 2013 lexus es sports luxury and all the carplay systems are advertised for 2014-2019 and I was wondering as 13 and 14 is basically the same thing that if I could use this on my car??-- https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...Cquery_from%3A

Can’t see the link w/o logging in.

How the screen looks doesn’t tell you the generation of software (and all hardware) behind it. According to this Lexus document, you have Gen 7 and 2014 is Gen 7. But it also implies a 2014 and 2015 are different generations. I would question the manufacturer carefully - aliexpress can be useful, but verify. The seller may not be the manufacturer and not have correct info.

I'm wondering if anyone else has experience with this unit? It shows a s a "Ztuzauto" brand. I'm wondering if that's the manufacturer of Road Top units?

I, too am wondering about any solution which would allow me to have CarPlay in a 2013 ES. I don’t care for those that are simply set up on the dash. I would like to know of any solution to utilize CarPlay on the existing hardware if possible. Tearing into the dash seems to open a can of worms for squeaks and broken parts?

the GROM and similar devices use all existing hardware, nothing is altered. They just plug into the back of the existing nav/entertainment/info center. You pull the existing unit out to plug it into the back, then pop it right back in. All original parts, look, and originality are retained. The Roadtop unit is the same AFAIK; they make it for gen 6 which your car has.