How the Drake II Differs from the Original Drake
The Drake II differs from the original Drake in the bowl and tank it is built from and in the range of versions offered, not in the flush or the glaze, which are the same on both. TOTO builds the 1.28 GPF elongated Drake as CST776CEFG and the equivalent Drake II as CST454CEFG. Both are two-piece, both are Universal Height, both list TORNADO FLUSH and CEFIONTECT, both take a 12-inch rough-in, and neither ships with a seat.
What the Drake II adds is a 1.0 GPF version, CST454CUFG, a round-front bowl, CST453CEFG, which TOTO lists as high profile and 30 inches tall overall, and a computer-designed, fully glazed trapway. If you are cross-shopping, the full TOTO Drake range puts the two next to each other, and the Drake Transitional is the third variation on the family.
The flush volume is a tank decision
Across the Drake II WASHLET+ sets the bowl part number does not change. TOTO lists C454CUFGT40 as the bowl on the 1.28 GPF sets and on the 1.0 GPF sets alike; what changes is the tank, ST454EA on the 1.28 GPF versions and ST453UA on the 1.0 GPF ones. So the lower-volume Drake II is not a lesser bowl; it is the same ceramic flushed with less water. Compare 1.0 GPF toilets if that decides it for you.
Is the TOTO Drake II a Good Toilet?
The TOTO Drake II is a good toilet if you want TOTO's flush and glaze in a two-piece body and do not need a skirted or one-piece look. TOTO's own listing for CST454CEFG is short on adjectives and long on specifics: “Simply and beautifully designed with an elongated bowl, this model features the quiet advantage of our powerful, water-saving Tornado flushing system… along with CEFIONTECT technology. Universal height.”
Three things do the work. TORNADO FLUSH uses two nozzles instead of a ring of rim holes, and TOTO describes them as creating “a centrifugal, cyclonic rinsing action which reduces waste buildup and keeps the bowl cleaner.” CEFIONTECT is a glaze rather than a coating you reapply: TOTO calls it “extraordinarily smooth,” says it “prevents particulates from adhering to porous, ceramic surfaces,” and adds that the ion barrier “keeps everything cleaner, longer.” The third is the computer-designed, fully glazed trapway, the part of a toilet you never see and never want to think about.
The certifications sit on the same listing: WaterSense, CALGreen, and ADA compliant at Universal Height. What you give up is looks. A two-piece has a visible tank-to-bowl seam and an unskirted base with more edges to wipe than a smooth one-piece. If that matters more than price or serviceability, read one piece versus two piece first.
How to Choose Your Drake II
Choosing a Drake II comes down to four decisions: bowl shape, flush volume, whether you want a WASHLET bidet seat in the box, and your rough-in. The flush system, the glaze and the Universal Height bowl are the same across the range.
Elongated or round
Pick elongated unless the bowl has to fit a tight space. The elongated Drake II is CST454CEFG and the round-front version is CST453CEFG, both at 1.28 GPF, both 12-inch rough-in, both ADA compliant. Measure from the seat bolts to the front rim: about 18.5 inches is elongated, about 16.5 inches is round, and our guide to elongated versus round bowls covers the trade-off. One constraint matters here: every Drake II WASHLET+ set is elongated, so a round Drake II means buying the bowl and tank and adding a round seat yourself.
1.28 GPF or 1.0 GPF
Take 1.28 GPF unless you specifically want the lowest water use TOTO offers on this bowl. CST454CUFG is the 1.0 GPF Drake II, sold as the Drake II 1G, and TOTO lists it with the same Tornado Flush system, CEFIONTECT glaze, fully glazed trapway, Universal Height and WaterSense and CALGreen certifications as the 1.28. In this collection the 1G tank is paired with the S7 and S7A.
Which WASHLET: S2, S5, S7 or S7A
The WASHLET decides most of the price difference between otherwise identical sets. TOTO lists the S2 (SW3346) and S5 (SW3446) with a heated seat with temperature control, warm air drying with three variable temperature settings, an aerated warm-water dual-action spray with oscillating and pulsating options, EWATER+ that auto-cleans the wand, and PREMIST of the bowl before use. The S7 (SW4726AT40) and S7A (SW4736AT40) list EWATER+ that auto-cleans the wand and bowl after every use, PREMIST before each use, a night light and a multifunction remote, and the S7A adds an auto open/close lid. On all of them, TOTO states that “the WASHLET+ system neatly conceals the WASHLET power cord and water supply hose.” Other TOTO models in the same arrangement are in WASHLET+ toilet sets.
Rough-in: 12 inches, with one exception
Plan on a 12-inch rough-in. On the bowl-and-tank models it is the only size TOTO offers: CST454CEFG, CST454CUFG and CST453CEFG are all listed at 12 inches with no alternative. The exception is the WASHLET+ S2 and S5 sets, where TOTO's specification reads “12″ Unifit Rough-in (Optional 10″ and 14″ Unifit Rough-in), less supply.” If your bathroom measures 10 or 14 inches, those two sets are the way into a Drake II. Measure before you order using our rough-in size guide.
Drake II or UltraMax II
Choose the Drake II if you want a two-piece and the UltraMax II if you want a one-piece, because the flush is not what separates them. TOTO lists the elongated UltraMax II as MS604124CEFG at 1.28 GPF with Tornado Flush, CEFIONTECT, Universal Height and a 12-inch rough-in, the same specification as the Drake II. The differences are body and packaging: the UltraMax II is a single ceramic piece with a SoftClose SS124 seat included, while the Drake II bowl-and-tank models are listed less seat and bolt together on site. See the UltraMax II collection for the one-piece side.