The TOTO Drake II is one of the most talked-about two-piece toilets in the mid-range market — a workhorse flush system wrapped in a clean, modern design.
In this review, you’ll get a full breakdown of everything the Drake II delivers, from its Tornado Flush performance to long-term value, so you can decide if it belongs in your bathroom.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Image | [Image loads via plugin] |
| Model Number | CST454CEFG#01 |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 28.75″ x 16.5″ x 29.5″ |
| Bowl Type | Elongated |
| Flush System | Tornado Flush (Dual Nozzle) |
| Water Usage | 1.28 GPF (High-Efficiency) |
| Bowl Coating | CEFIONTECT Ceramic Glaze |
| Seat Height | Universal Height (16.1″ to rim) |
| Rough-In | 12 inches |
| Trapway | 2-1/8 inches |
| Flush Lever | Left-Hand Chrome Trip Lever |
| Seat Included | No (sold separately) |
| Colors Available | Cotton White, Bone, Sedona Beige, Ebony |
| ADA Compliant | Yes |
| Certifications | EPA WaterSense, CALGreen, CEC |
| Warranty | One-Year Limited |
| Check Price |  |
Pros & Cons of TOTO Drake II
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Tornado Flush cleans the entire bowl in one flush | Seat is NOT included — adds to your total cost |
| CEFIONTECT glaze dramatically reduces toilet cleaning time | One-year warranty is short for a premium-priced toilet |
| 1.28 GPF water efficiency saves money on utility bills | Hole-free rim means no spray from traditional rim holes — takes some getting used to |
| Universal height is comfortable for most users | Higher price than many comparable two-piece toilets |
| ADA compliant and WaterSense certified | Supply line and wax ring sold separately |
| Available in multiple colors to match bathroom décor | Installation requires some plumbing know-how |
| WASHLET+ compatible for seamless bidet seat integration | Not the sleekest design compared to one-piece models |
Check its current price on Amazon
Is the TOTO Drake II Worth It?
Yes — and I’ll say it without hesitation.
The TOTO Drake II punches well above its two-piece toilet category with a flushing system that honestly outperforms models costing twice as much.
The Tornado Flush is the headline feature here, and it genuinely delivers.
Instead of the traditional hole-filled rim design that leaves dead zones, the Drake II uses two powerful nozzles that create a centrifugal, cyclonic rinsing action across the entire bowl surface.
The result is a consistent, powerful flush on 1.28 gallons — a level of performance that would have required 3+ gallons on an older toilet.
If you’re someone who hates cleaning the toilet, this is genuinely one of the best things you can buy.
The CEFIONTECT coating keeps waste from bonding to the ceramic, meaning the bowl stays visibly cleaner between cleanings.
Where the Drake II falls short is the extras — you’re buying a toilet bowl and tank set, with no seat, no wax ring, and no supply line in the box.
If you’re planning to pair it with a bidet seat like the TOTO WASHLET S5 or S7, factor that cost in upfront.
But as a base toilet? The Drake II is outstanding value for the long term.
Design and Build Quality
The Drake II has a clean, high-profile two-piece design with a rounded, sculpted tank that gives it a more modern look than the original Drake’s squared-off silhouette.
It’s not flashy, but it’s polished — the kind of fixture that disappears into a well-designed bathroom without ever looking out of place.
The vitreous china construction feels solid and dense, and the overall build quality is exactly what you’d expect from TOTO.
[Product image loads via plugin]
The universal height seats you at 16.1 inches to the rim — roughly an inch taller than a standard toilet and much closer to the comfort height most adults prefer.
For older users or anyone with knee or hip issues, this is a genuine quality-of-life improvement.
The left-hand chrome trip lever is smooth and responsive, and the overall hardware package is simple but premium.
If you prefer a right-hand lever, there’s a CST454CEFRG variant that handles that — so you’re not locked in by the standard configuration.
The only design note worth flagging: the hole-free rim is a departure from what most people expect.
There’s no traditional rim spray — water enters only through the two nozzles — which takes one flush to get used to, and then you’ll never miss the old way again.
If you’re also comparing toilet shapes or considering a one-piece option, our TOTO Drake II vs UltraMax II breakdown is worth a read before you commit.
Flushing and Cleaning Performance
This is where the Drake II earns its reputation.
The Tornado Flush system achieves a MaP (Maximum Performance) rating of 800 grams — meaning it can clear 800 grams of solid waste in a single flush using just 1.28 gallons.
To put that in perspective, the federal minimum flush standard in the US is 1.6 GPF, and many older toilets at that volume don’t come close to matching the Drake II’s clearing power.
The dual-nozzle cyclonic action rinses water across the entire bowl surface, not just straight down — which means every part of the bowl gets hit with every flush.
Combined with the CEFIONTECT glaze — TOTO’s ion-barrier ceramic coating that prevents waste from adhering to porous surfaces — the bowl simply stays cleaner.
In real-world use, you’ll scrub this toilet far less often than a standard model.
That’s a legitimate quality-of-life upgrade, and it’s one of the main reasons the Drake II has such a loyal following among people who have owned multiple TOTO toilets.
For more context on how TOTO’s toilet technology stacks up across their lineup, the TOTO Drake vs Nexus guide covers the flushing comparison in depth.
Comfort and Seat Compatibility
The Drake II ships without a seat, which is the single most common surprise for first-time buyers.
You’ll need to purchase one separately — and that actually opens up some excellent options.
The Drake II is WASHLET+ ready, which means you can pair it with a TOTO bidet seat and have the power cord and water supply hose concealed inside a channel on the bowl for a completely seamless, cable-free look.
The TOTO WASHLET S5 (SW3446) is the most popular pairing for mid-range buyers — it delivers instantaneous warm water, EWATER+ nozzle cleaning, PREMIST bowl misting, and four user presets in a slim profile that looks purpose-built for this toilet.
If you want to step up, the TOTO WASHLET S7 adds auto-lid functionality, a slimmer profile, and brighter night light while staying WASHLET+ compatible.
If you just need a basic seat, any standard elongated seat fits the Drake II bowl.
The universal height puts you at a comfortable sitting position that works well for most adults, and anyone comparing this to a standard-height toilet will notice the difference almost immediately.
If heated seats are your priority across different toilet shapes, the best heated bidet toilet seats guide has an excellent shortlist to pair with the Drake II.
Installation
The Drake II is a standard two-piece toilet — a bowl and tank set that any competent DIYer can install in under two hours.
You’ll need to purchase a wax ring, toilet mounting bolts, and a supply line separately (TOTO doesn’t include these, which is a minor annoyance at this price point).
The 12-inch rough-in fits the vast majority of North American bathrooms, and TOTO offers a 10-inch rough-in variant for older homes where the distance from the floor bolt to the finished wall is shorter.
The tank attaches to the bowl with standard hardware, and the left-hand chrome trip lever operates the flush valve — no electricity or additional plumbing connections required beyond the cold water supply line.
If you’re planning a full bathroom upgrade and want to think about wall-hung alternatives, the TOTO AP vs EP wall-hung comparison shows what’s possible at the next level up.
Who Is the TOTO Drake II Best For?
The Drake II is the right toilet if you want a genuinely premium flush experience in a traditional two-piece format without going all-in on a smart toilet or integrated bidet combo.
It’s ideal for homeowners doing a bathroom renovation who want a durable, low-maintenance toilet that pairs well with any bidet seat from the bidet toilet seat comparison chart.
It’s also the right pick for buyers upgrading from a standard 1.6 GPF toilet who want to cut water usage without giving up flush power.
If you’re deciding between the Drake II and a competing two-piece from American Standard, the TOTO Drake vs American Standard Champion 4 comparison is a must-read before you decide.
Where it’s less ideal: if you want a fully integrated bidet toilet experience, you’re better served looking at the best toilets with bidet built in — models like the TOTO Neorest AS or WASHLET G5A that combine toilet and bidet into one seamless unit.
But for a standard toilet that you want to be the best standard toilet in its class? The Drake II is genuinely hard to beat.
FAQ
Is the TOTO Drake II discontinued?
No — the Drake II is a current, actively produced model from TOTO.
It is not discontinued and remains one of TOTO’s best-selling two-piece toilets alongside the original Drake.
The Drake II’s successor concern is sometimes confused with bidet seat discontinuations in the lineup, but the toilet itself is fully active.
Does the TOTO Drake II fit round or elongated toilet seats?
The standard CST454CEFG model uses an elongated bowl, so you’ll need an elongated toilet seat.
If you specifically need a round bowl version, TOTO makes the CST453CEFG variant with an identical flushing system in a round bowl format.
For more guidance on seat shapes, the best bidets for round toilets guide covers what changes when you go from elongated to round.
What bidet seat works best with the TOTO Drake II?
The TOTO WASHLET S5 (SW3446) is the most popular pairing — it’s WASHLET+ compatible with the Drake II, which means the power cord and supply hose are concealed inside a channel on the bowl for a clean, integrated look.
The TOTO C5 vs S5 comparison explains exactly what changed between generations if you’re deciding between current and older TOTO seats.
How does the TOTO Drake II compare to the TOTO Drake (standard)?
Both toilets share TOTO’s Tornado Flush and CEFIONTECT glaze — they’re functionally very close.
The Drake II has a more modern, sculpted tank design and universal height as standard, while the original Drake keeps a more classic squared-off profile and comes in both standard and universal heights.
The TOTO Drake Transitional vs Standard guide goes deeper on this if design is a key factor in your decision.
Conclusion
The TOTO Drake II delivers exactly what it promises: a powerful, efficient, low-maintenance two-piece toilet built on one of the best flush systems available at its price point.
The Tornado Flush is genuinely impressive, the CEFIONTECT coating keeps your bowl cleaner between scrubs, and the WASHLET+ compatibility gives you a clear upgrade path to a full bidet experience down the line.
The missing seat, wax ring, and supply line are frustrating omissions at this price — but once you’re up and running, you’ll quickly understand why this toilet has such a devoted following.
If you’re ready to pair it with a bidet seat, our bidet toilet seat comparison chart is the best place to start — and our best bidets for existing toilets guide covers every price range and feature tier worth considering.