Time for reading: 5 min.

The Difference Between A Transaxle And A Transmission

“Transaxles” & “transmissions” both perform gear changes. We define the differences, and look at how transaxles split power between left & right side axles.
The Difference Between A Transaxle And A Transmission

In this article we'll look at the differences between a "transaxle" and a "transmission". In short, a transaxle performs both the gear-changing function of a transmission and the power-splitting ability of an axle differential in one integrated unit. A transmission performs the gear-changing function only, delivering power via a single output shaft at the back of the unit. Although both perform gear shifts in the same fashion, there's often confusion about these two terms because the word "transmission" is sometimes used as a blanket description to include transaxles when it should not be.

Transmission

What Is a Transmission?

More specifically, looking up the word "transmission" in any number of locations brings similar yet varying descriptions when it comes to automotive applications. Some authoritative sources refer to a transmission vaguely as "an enclosed unit of gears that transmits power from the engine to the driving wheels of a motor vehicle." In theory, that also sounds like what a transaxle does. Other descriptions are more detailed - specifying an enclosed unit which transmits power from the engine's crankshaft to the drive shaft that leads to a vehicle's drive wheels.

A Typical 'transmission' Designed to Mount Directly Behind an Engine
A closer look at a typical "transmission" designed to mount directly behind an engine.
Rear Wheel Drive Layout
This diagram shows a typical rear-wheel-drive layout with a transmission that performs the gear-changing function only, delivering power via a single driveshaft to a separate differential unit on the rear axle.

While transmission routes power from the engine through gears of various ratios, a single driveshaft exits the rear. Transmissions are not designed to be mounted in between left- and right-side axle shafts the way a transaxle assembly is.

No definition of a transmission actually mentions an ability to split torque to two different axles while being located directly between them. Also, the presence of a drive shaft mentioned confirms there is also a separate differential located elsewhere that splits power in the middle of an axle.

Which Cars Come with a Transmission?

Transmissions are mostly found in cars and trucks designed with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. In such vehicles both the transmission and engine will be mounted front-to-back rather than sideways. Both part-time and full-time 4-wheel-drive drivetrains usually feature this same layout - adding a separate, self-contained transfer case to direct power to front and rear axles via a separate set of driveshafts.

Example Of Front-Engine Jaguar With All-Wheel-Drive Setup
An example of a Jaguar front-engine, all-wheel-drive layout where the rear output shaft of a transmission goes on to power a center transfer case, which splits power to separate front and rear axle differentials. While this powertrain is full-time all-wheel-drive, part-time 4-wheel-drive vehicles use this same basic layout - varying only in differential function.

Transaxle

What Is a Transaxle?

Look up "transaxle" and in every case, you'll find a definition that clearly spells outan integrated component which combines the gear-changing function of a transmission with the power-splitting ability of a differential.

There is no single driveshaft exiting a transaxle, because there is no separate differential unit located elsewhere to receive it. Instead, shafts for both the left- and right-side drive axles themselves are directly connected to each side of the transaxle. While they may be separated, transmission cogs and differential gears are contained within one large transaxle housing.

Typical Transaxle Designed For Front-Engine Vehicle
A closer look at a typical transaxle designed for a front-engine, front-wheel-drive vehicle.+3
Front Wheel Drive Layout
This diagram shows a typical front-wheel-drive layout with a transaxle that performs both the gear-changing function of a transmission and the power-splitting ability of a differential in one integrated unit.

Which Cars Come with a Transaxle?

In two-wheel-drive vehicles, transaxles are found in all configurations where the engine is located at the same end of the vehicle as the drive wheels are. This includes front-engine/front-wheel-drive layouts as well as rear-wheel-drive layouts with an engine behind the passenger cockpit. Vehicles with the engine mounted behind the rear axle line are known as "rear engine" models, while vehicles with the engine behind the driver but in front of the rear axle line are known as "mid-engine" models.

The Diagram of A 1960 Chevrolet Corvair
This diagram of a 1960 Chevrolet Corvair gives a closer look at its rear-engine placement behind the rear axle line, and its rear transaxle.

Notable rear-engine vehicles with a rear transaxle include:

The Mockup of A 1991 Acura NSX Powertrain
This mockup of a 1991 Acura NSX powertrain allows a good look at a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with a rear transaxle. Notice how the mid-engine design places the engine behind the driver but ahead of the rear axle line.

Notable vehicles with a mid-mounted engine and a rear transaxle include:

Another popular layout on front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles oriented for performance is a transaxle that's integrated into the rear axle. Benefits of this design include more even front/rear weight distribution to enhance handling, and the absence of a separate differential unit which reduces overall vehicle weight. Because the driveshaft from the engine to the rear axle rotates at engine speed, which can be quite high, it's encased within a protective metal tube.

Notable vehicles that feature this setup include:

The Picture of The Rear of A Late-Model Corvette Chassis
This picture of the rear of a late-model Corvette chassis allows a good look at the layout of a front engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle with a transaxle integrated into the rear axle.
Front-Engine Porsche 924 With Rear Transaxle
This German-market advertisement introducing the 1977 Porsche 924 highlights the model's front engine, rear transaxle layout.

What are Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs)?

Continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) popular in modern vehicles can also be configured as either a transmission or a transaxle. A CVT is an automatic transmission that uses two pulley wheels (with adjustable diameters) connected by a steel band to vary gear ratios between engine and transmission output shafts. So instead having of a fixed number of gears the way traditional transmissions do, a CVT can create an infinite number of gear ratios. CVTs are most commonly found in smaller front-wheel-drive vehicles, and are usually engineered as transaxles.

Continuously Variable Transmissions Components Variety

Should you find yourself in need of a complete new or rebuilt transmissions, or the parts to service or repair your existing transmission, such as overhaul kits, torque converters, valve bodies, filters, and fluid, CARiD has all the high-quality parts you need in our Replacement Transmission Parts section. Should you need a transaxle or transaxle components, such as bearings, seals, or gaskets, you will find exactly what you need in our Replacement Driveline & Axle Parts category.

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