The hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS) system for continuously variable transmission (CVT) was developed for the study and development of electronic control unit (TCU) for CVT, and the construction and principle of the HILS system as well as control algorithm of TCU was described detailedly. The simulation system was used to carry out HILS experiment for TCU，and real vehicle test was carried out for simulation tested and optimized TCU. The results all indicate that the developed HILS system can provide real-time verification and optimal control to automotive integrated model and control algorithm of TCU, and a good simulation and test platform was provided for the development of TCU of CVT. 