PRETTY MUCH all Toyota hybrid vehicles send their power out through a continuously variable transmission. But the recently introduced 2021 Toyota Sienna will be a bit different.
The hybrid-only Sienna minivan, along with its Highlander Hybrid stablemate, will get a new hybrid transaxle built in North America. A transaxle is different because it combines the functions of a transmission, axle, and differential into one assembly.
Some modern examples of cars with transaxles include the Mercedes-AMG GT, Ferrari 812 Superfast, Nissan GT-R, and Porsche 911 to name a few. This new transaxle functions like a CVT, allowing the Sienna and Highlander to seamlessly change from electric to internal combustion power to achieve the best fuel economy.
After two years of development, the first hybrid transaxle just rolled off the assembly line at Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV). This facility also produces four-cylinder engines for the Corolla, V6 engines for the
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