Choosing between the TOTO Drake II and the American Standard Champion 4 is one of the most common toilet debates you’ll find online.
Both are proven performers with loyal followings — but they take very different approaches to flushing, cleaning, and long-term value, and the right one for you depends on what you actually care about.
| Feature | TOTO Drake II (CST454CEFG#01) | American Standard Champion 4 (2034314.020) |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
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| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 28.3″ × 16.5″ × 30″ | 29.75″ × 17.75″ × 29.5″ |
| Toilet Style | Two-piece | One-piece |
| Flush System | Tornado Flush (1.28 GPF) | Champion 4 Valve (1.6 GPF) |
| Bowl Coating | CEFIONTECT ceramic glaze | EverClean antimicrobial surface |
| Rim Height | 17.25″ (Universal Height) | 16.5″ (Right Height / Chair Height) |
| Seat Included | No (sold separately) | Yes (slow-close seat included) |
| WaterSense Certified | Yes | No |
| Buy Now |  |
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1. TOTO Drake II Two-Piece Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet (CST454CEFG#01)
The TOTO Drake II is one of the most respected two-piece toilets in the market, and it’s been a go-to recommendation from plumbers and bathroom enthusiasts alike for years.
It pairs TOTO’s Tornado Flush technology with the brand’s signature CEFIONTECT ceramic glaze — a combination that keeps the bowl cleaner with less effort and less water.
Features
- Tornado Flush with dual nozzles for centrifugal bowl rinse
- CEFIONTECT ceramic glaze prevents waste from sticking
- Universal Height (17.25″ rim) for comfort across users
- Hole-free rimless design for easier cleaning
- WaterSense certified at 1.28 GPF
- ADA compliant
- Seat sold separately
Pros
- Exceptional water efficiency — saves money on your water bill
- CEFIONTECT glaze dramatically reduces how often you need to scrub
- Tornado Flush is powerful and virtually silent
- Two-piece design makes repairs and part replacement simpler
- Compatible with TOTO WASHLET bidet seats
Cons
- Seat is not included — budget extra
- Higher upfront cost than some two-piece alternatives
- Fewer TOTO replacement parts at local hardware stores
The Drake II is the better long-term investment if you care about water savings and minimal maintenance.
Its CEFIONTECT glaze works in tandem with the Tornado Flush to rinse the entire bowl surface efficiently, meaning you’ll be cleaning far less frequently than with a conventional toilet.
If you’re also considering a bidet seat upgrade, the Drake II is fully WASHLET+ compatible — making it an ideal foundation for a bidet for your existing toilet.
Check its current price on Amazon
2. American Standard Champion 4 One-Piece Elongated Toilet (2034314.020)
The American Standard Champion 4 is famous for one thing: it can flush a bucket of golf balls in a single flush.
That’s not just marketing — it reflects the engineering behind the oversized 4-inch flush valve and the fully glazed 2-3/8″ trapway that make clog-resistance this toilet’s defining trait.
Features
- 4-inch piston-action Accelerator flush valve — largest in the industry
- One-piece design with no tank-to-bowl seam
- EverClean antimicrobial surface inhibits mold, mildew, and bacteria
- Right Height bowl at 16.5″ rim height
- Fully glazed 2-3/8″ trapway
- Slow-close seat included
- 1.6 GPF flush
Pros
- Virtually clog-proof — handles bulk waste better than almost anything
- One-piece design is sleek and easier to clean around
- Slow-close seat included — no extra purchase needed
- Replacement parts widely available at local hardware stores
- EverClean surface fights staining and bacterial buildup
Cons
- Uses 1.6 GPF — less water-efficient than the Drake II
- Not WaterSense certified
- Heavier and harder to install solo due to one-piece construction
The Champion 4 is the right call if you’ve had persistent clogging issues or if you have a household with high-demand flushing needs.
The one-piece construction is also a genuine advantage for long-term hygiene — there’s no tank-to-bowl gasket to leak or harbor grime over time.
Replacement parts like flush valves and flappers are also much easier to source locally, which is a real convenience factor over the life of the toilet.
If you’re curious about pairing it with a bidet seat, check out our guide to the bidet toilet seat comparison chart to find a compatible option.
Check its current price on Amazon
Flushing Power: Which One Actually Clears the Bowl?
This is where these two toilets take very different paths.
The TOTO Drake II uses a Tornado Flush — two nozzles that fire water in a centrifugal pattern around the entire bowl, rinsing every surface before draining.
It uses only 1.28 GPF, which makes it one of the most efficient toilets in its class.
The American Standard Champion 4 uses a 4-inch piston-action flush valve — the largest flush valve available in a consumer toilet.
It uses 1.6 GPF and moves bulk waste in a single, high-force blast.
In raw clog-prevention terms, the Champion 4 wins.
But in terms of bowl cleanliness after the flush, the Drake II’s Tornado Flush combined with CEFIONTECT glaze does a more thorough job of rinsing the bowl surface.
**Winner: Tie** — Champion 4 for bulk waste, Drake II for bowl cleanliness.
Water Efficiency: The Numbers That Matter
The difference here is significant if you’re paying for your water.
The TOTO Drake II uses 1.28 gallons per flush and is WaterSense certified — meaning it meets EPA standards for water efficiency without sacrificing performance.
The Champion 4 uses 1.6 gallons per flush and is not WaterSense certified.
Over the course of a year, a family of four flushes a toilet roughly 20,000 times.
That 0.32 GPF difference adds up to more than 6,400 gallons of extra water usage annually with the Champion 4.
If long-term water savings matter to you, the Drake II is the clear choice here.
This also matters if you’re in California or other states with strict water efficiency building codes, where WaterSense certification may be required for new installations.
**Winner: TOTO Drake II**
Bowl Coating and Cleanliness
Both toilets address bowl hygiene, but with different technologies.
The TOTO Drake II features CEFIONTECT, a ceramic ion-barrier glaze that makes the bowl surface so smooth that waste, mold, and bacteria have almost nothing to grip.
Combined with the Tornado Flush’s full-surface rinse, the result is a bowl that genuinely stays cleaner between cleanings.
The American Standard Champion 4 uses EverClean — an antimicrobial surface that uses the properties of silver to actively inhibit bacterial growth, mold, and mildew.
Both work well in real-world use, but CEFIONTECT tends to edge out EverClean for purely physical soil resistance.
EverClean, however, actively kills bacteria rather than just preventing adhesion, which some users find more reassuring.
**Winner: TOTO Drake II** (for passive soil resistance), with a nod to the Champion 4 for antimicrobial action.
Installation and Maintenance
A two-piece toilet like the Drake II is generally easier for a single person to install — you carry the bowl and tank separately.
A one-piece toilet like the Champion 4 is heavier and more unwieldy, often requiring two people or professional installation.
However, the one-piece design wins on long-term maintenance: there’s no tank-to-bowl gasket to degrade over time, and no seam behind the tank to clean around.
For replacement parts, the Champion 4 is the easier toilet to maintain.
Flappers, fill valves, and flush valves for American Standard products are widely stocked at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and hardware stores everywhere.
TOTO parts are available, but you may need to order online or visit a specialty plumbing supplier.
**Winner: Champion 4** for parts availability; Drake II for DIY installation ease.
Value and What’s Included
The Drake II comes without a seat — you’ll need to budget for a TOTO SoftClose seat separately, or pair it with a bidet seat like the heated bidet seats we recommend.
The Champion 4 includes a slow-close seat in the box, which is genuinely useful and saves you an extra purchase.
If you’re planning to add a washlet or bidet attachment, the seat inclusion is less meaningful — but for a straightforward toilet upgrade, the Champion 4 delivers more out of the box.
**Winner: Champion 4**
Verdict — Which One Should You Buy?
Both toilets are excellent, but they’re built for different buyers.
**Buy the TOTO Drake II if…**
you want a water-efficient, low-maintenance toilet that keeps itself cleaner with less scrubbing, you’re in a WaterSense-required region, or you plan to pair it with a WASHLET bidet seat for a full toilet bidet combo upgrade.
**Buy the American Standard Champion 4 if…**
you want the most clog-resistant toilet available, you prefer a sleek one-piece design, you want everything included in the box, or you value easy access to replacement parts at your local hardware store.
FAQ
Is the TOTO Drake II worth the extra cost over a basic toilet?
Yes, for most buyers.
The CEFIONTECT glaze and Tornado Flush combination dramatically reduces the frequency of toilet cleaning, and the 1.28 GPF efficiency saves meaningful water costs over time.
If you’re also considering a bidet for home use, the Drake II is fully compatible with the TOTO WASHLET lineup, making it a particularly smart long-term investment.
Does the American Standard Champion 4 really never clog?
It’s not a guarantee, but it comes very close in real-world use.
The oversized 4-inch flush valve and wide, fully glazed trapway are specifically engineered to handle bulk waste in a single flush.
It’s one of the most reliably clog-free toilets available at its price point.
Can I add a bidet seat to the TOTO Drake II?
Absolutely.
The Drake II is designed with TOTO’s WASHLET+ system in mind, which conceals the water supply and power cord for a clean, integrated look.
You can also install any standard bidet seat that fits an elongated bowl.
Check our bidet seat comparison chart for options at every price point.
Which toilet is easier to keep clean?
The TOTO Drake II has a slight edge here.
CEFIONTECT’s ultra-smooth glaze means waste, staining agents, and bacteria have very little surface to adhere to, and the Tornado Flush rinses the entire inner bowl surface — not just the front like some flush systems.
The Champion 4’s EverClean surface is also very good, but the Drake II’s hole-free rimless design eliminates the hidden under-rim areas that collect grime in traditional toilets.
Conclusion
The TOTO Drake II and the American Standard Champion 4 are two of the best toilets you can buy — they just solve different problems.
The Drake II is the cleaner, more efficient toilet for everyday use, especially if you’re building a bidet seat setup or you want to reduce water costs over time.
The Champion 4 is the powerhouse you want if clog-resistance is your top priority, or if you want a complete, ready-to-use toilet right out of the box.
Whichever you choose, you’re upgrading to a toilet that will outperform the contractor-grade fixtures found in most new homes.
If you’re still exploring your options, take a look at our round-up of the best toilets with bidet or dive into our guide on bidet vs washlet to figure out your ideal bathroom setup.
