TOTO Drake vs. Drake II: What’s the Difference in the Current Models?

The TOTO Drake and Drake II are two of TOTO's best-known two-piece toilets, and their names make the relationship between them seem simpler than it really is.

It is tempting to assume that the Drake II is simply a newer or upgraded version of the Drake. With the current models, however, that is not a particularly useful way to compare them.

Today's Drake has been substantially updated from earlier generations. The current Drake and Drake II both offer TOTO's TORNADO FLUSH system, 1.28 GPF water consumption, CEFIONTECT glaze, Universal Height and elongated bowls. Both are also available in conventional configurations and in special T40 configurations designed for TOTO's WASHLET+ system. 

 

The differences today come down primarily to bowl and tank design, dimensions, bowl geometry, styling and price, rather than one toilet having a fundamentally more advanced flushing system.

For this comparison, we are using four directly corresponding Cotton White models:

• Drake: CST776CEFG#01
• Drake WASHLET+ ready with seat: MS776124CEFG#01
• Drake II: CST454CEFG#01
• Drake II WASHLET+ ready with seat: MS454124CEFG#01

That distinction matters because comparing a regular Drake against a WASHLET+ Drake II, for example, makes differences caused by the configuration look like differences between the Drake and Drake II themselves.

TOTO Drake vs. Drake II at a Glance

 

TOTO's current specification sheets confirm that both standard models use TORNADO FLUSH, CEFIONTECT, Universal Height bowls, 12" rough-ins and 2-1/8" trap diameters. Their external dimensions are also extremely close.

Drake vs Drake II WASHLET+ Ready Toilets With SoftClose Seat

The MS776124CEFG and MS454124CEFG use their respective T40 bowls and both include TOTO's SS124 SoftClose seat.

One important clarification: these MS models do not include an electronic WASHLET bidet seat. They include a conventional SS124 SoftClose seat and a T40 bowl that is ready for a compatible WASHLET+ installation. TOTO uses separate MW model numbers for complete toilet-and-WASHLET combinations. TOTO's own parts documentation identifies "MS" as a toilet-and-seat combination, "MW" as a toilet-and-WASHLET combination, and "T40" as WASHLET+.

First, Make Sure You Are Comparing the Current Drake

A lot of Drake vs. Drake II information online is based on an older generation of the Drake.

Older Drake toilets became famous for TOTO's G-Max flushing system. For years, this gave reviewers a convenient way to distinguish the two families: the original Drake used one flushing system while the Drake II used a newer bowl-washing design.

That distinction no longer applies to the models in this comparison.

The current CST776-series Drake uses TOTO's TORNADO FLUSH system, just like the current CST454-series Drake II. Both of the 1.28 GPF models discussed here also have CEFIONTECT glaze and a 2-1/8" trap diameter.

So an article comparing an older CST744 Drake with a Drake II is not describing the same choice that a customer faces when shopping for a CST776CEFG today.

Is the Drake II's Flush Better Than the Drake?

Based on TOTO's current specifications, we would not choose the Drake II simply because we expect it to have a stronger flush.

The comparable Drake and Drake II models both use:

• 1.28 gallons per flush
• TORNADO FLUSH
• CEFIONTECT
• A 2-1/8" trap diameter
• Universal Height elongated bowls

TORNADO FLUSH uses two powerful nozzles to create a centrifugal rinsing action around the bowl rather than relying on the traditional row of small holes underneath the rim.

That gives both toilets the modern TOTO flushing system that many older Drake comparisons attribute primarily to the Drake II.

There are differences in the shape and internal geometry of the bowls, so the toilets are certainly not identical. But nothing in TOTO's published specifications supports treating the "II" in Drake II as shorthand for a more powerful flushing system. 

For a buyer primarily concerned about flushing performance, the two current models are much closer competitors than their names imply.

The Bowl Designs Are Different

Although the major flushing specifications match, the Drake and Drake II do not use the same bowl.

The standard Drake CST776CEFG uses the C776CEFG bowl, while the standard Drake II CST454CEFG uses the C454CUFG bowl.

TOTO specifies a water surface of 9" x 6-7/8" for the Drake and 7-1/8" x 9-1/8" for the regular Drake II. Both have a 2-1/8" trap diameter.

The T40 bowls used in the WASHLET+ configurations also differ. The C776CEFGT40 Drake bowl maintains a listed 9" x 6-7/8" water surface, while TOTO lists the C454CUFGT40 Drake II bowl at 6-3/4" x 8-5/8".

We would not read too much into those measurements by themselves. Water-surface dimensions are only one aspect of bowl geometry and do not tell you which toilet will perform better. They do, however, demonstrate that the Drake and Drake II are genuinely different toilet designs rather than the same bowl packaged under two names.

Both Use CEFIONTECT

There is no Drake II advantage here either.

All four Cotton White models in this comparison use TOTO CEFIONTECT, the company's exceptionally smooth ceramic glaze designed to make it more difficult for waste and residue to adhere to the bowl.

CEFIONTECT works together with TORNADO FLUSH: the glaze helps reduce adhesion to the ceramic surface while the flush provides the rinsing action. 

The "G" near the end of these model numbers is significant. In these TOTO model families it identifies the CEFIONTECT-equipped version, which is why checking the complete model number is useful when comparing seemingly similar TOTO toilets.

Height Is Essentially the Same

Both the Drake and Drake II in this comparison are Universal Height toilets.

The ceramic rim on both is approximately 16-1/8" above the finished floor. With an appropriate seat installed, that brings the sitting surface into the height range commonly described as comfort height or chair height.

The WASHLET+ ready models already include an SS124 seat. TOTO's drawings show an approximately 17-5/8" seat height for the MS776124CEFG Drake and approximately 17-1/2" for the MS454124CEFG Drake II. The difference is only 1/8". 

 

 

Both product families can satisfy applicable ADA height requirements when properly installed and when the trip lever is located as required.

Height should therefore not be a major factor when choosing between these particular models.

WASHLET+ Is Available on Both Drake and Drake II

This is another area where it is easy to draw the wrong conclusion if you compare the wrong model numbers.

Both families offer a conventional bowl and a T40 WASHLET+ bowl:

Drake

• C776CEFG#01 – standard bowl
• C776CEFGT40#01 – WASHLET+ bowl

Drake II

• C454CUFG#01 – standard bowl
• C454CUFGT40#01 – WASHLET+ bowl

TOTO's T40 bowls are designed so a compatible WASHLET+ seat can route its water and electrical connections through openings in the bowl. This hides much of the plumbing and wiring that would otherwise remain visible beside a conventional bidet seat.

The result is a cleaner, more integrated installation. 

The comparable complete toilet models make the distinction particularly easy to understand:

CST776CEFG#01 Drake
C776CEFG bowl + ST776EA tank, with the seat sold separately.

MS776124CEFG#01 Drake
C776CEFGT40 WASHLET+ bowl + ST776EA tank + SS124 SoftClose seat.

CST454CEFG#01 Drake II
C454CUFG bowl + ST454EA tank, with the seat sold separately.

MS454124CEFG#01 Drake II
C454CUFGT40 WASHLET+ bowl + ST454EA tank + SS124 SoftClose seat.

In other words, WASHLET+ compatibility is a configuration choice, not a reason to choose Drake II over Drake. Both toilet families provide essentially the same choice.

What Does the "MS" Model Actually Include?

This deserves special attention because TOTO's model numbers can be confusing.

The MS776124CEFG#01 and MS454124CEFG#01 do not come with an electronic bidet seat.

They come with:

1. A T40 WASHLET+ compatible toilet bowl
2. The appropriate toilet tank
3. An SS124 SoftClose conventional toilet seat

You can use the toilet with the included SS124 just like a normal toilet. If you later decide to add a compatible TOTO WASHLET+, the bowl is already designed for the cleaner concealed-connection installation.

If you want a package that already includes an electronic WASHLET, look for one of TOTO's MW-series toilet-and-WASHLET combinations rather than assuming that the MS designation includes one.

That distinction is especially useful when comparing prices online because product titles from different retailers are not always consistent.

Size: Almost No Practical Difference

Neither toilet offers a meaningful space-saving advantage over the other.

The standard Drake CST776CEFG measures approximately:

28-3/8" long x 17-3/16" wide x 30-1/8" high

The Drake II CST454CEFG measures approximately:

28-1/2" long x 17-1/4" wide x 30" high

That makes the Drake roughly 1/8" shorter front-to-back, while the Drake II is roughly 1/8" shorter vertically. The width difference is only about 1/16".

For normal bathroom planning purposes, they occupy virtually the same amount of space.

If your existing installation is tight enough that 1/8" matters, it is worth checking TOTO's dimensional drawing and measuring from the finished wall to the centerline of the flange before ordering.

Styling Is One of the More Meaningful Differences

The biggest immediately visible difference between the Drake and Drake II is their appearance.

The current Drake has a clean, straightforward high-profile two-piece design. TOTO redesigned the family, but it retains the simple shape that has made the Drake easy to use in a wide variety of bathrooms.

TOTO describes the Drake II as having a decorative two-piece design with a high-profile tank. Its bowl and tank have their own contours and proportions, giving it a somewhat different visual character.

Neither is a concealed-trapway or fully skirted toilet. Both still have the recognizable form of a conventional two-piece toilet.

Once performance specifications become this similar, appearance becomes a perfectly reasonable reason to select one over the other.

Don't Assume "Drake II" Means "Newer Drake"

This is probably the most useful way to understand TOTO's current lineup.

The Drake II name originally helped distinguish it from an earlier Drake generation. But the Drake itself has since been redesigned and updated.

Today, Drake and Drake II are better viewed as two parallel TOTO toilet families rather than a base model and its successor.

The current Drake is not technologically stuck a generation behind. In the models compared here, it already has the major features buyers usually look for in the Drake II:

• TORNADO FLUSH
• 1.28 GPF high-efficiency flushing
• CEFIONTECT
• Universal Height
• Elongated bowl
• 12" rough-in
• 2-1/8" trap diameter
• EPA WaterSense certification
• A T40 WASHLET+ option

The Drake II gives you a different bowl, tank and aesthetic rather than an entirely different tier of flushing technology.

Which One Should You Buy?

For most buyers, we would make the choice based on price and design rather than expected flushing performance.

Choose the TOTO Drake if:

You prefer its appearance or it offers the better value at the time you are buying. The current Drake provides essentially the same core flushing technologies as the Drake II.

For a conventional toilet, look at the CST776CEFG#01.

If you want the T40 WASHLET+ bowl and included SoftClose seat, look at the MS776124CEFG#01.

Choose the TOTO Drake II if:

You prefer the Drake II's styling or specifically want its C454-series bowl and ST454-series tank design.

For the standard configuration, choose CST454CEFG#01.

For the corresponding T40 WASHLET+ ready configuration with SS124 SoftClose seat, choose MS454124CEFG#01.

If appearance and price are equal in your particular situation, we would not consider the words "Drake II" alone a reason to pay more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between the TOTO Drake and Drake II?

The current Drake and Drake II have very similar core specifications: both use 1.28 GPF TORNADO FLUSH, CEFIONTECT, Universal Height elongated bowls and 12" rough-ins. The primary differences are their bowl and tank designs, water-surface geometry, styling and specific components.

Does the TOTO Drake II flush better than the Drake?

There is no obvious basis in TOTO's current published specifications to say that it does. The comparable models use the same 1.28 GPF TORNADO FLUSH system and both have 2-1/8" trap diameters. Their bowl geometry differs, but the Drake II should not automatically be considered a flushing upgrade.

Does the current TOTO Drake have TORNADO FLUSH?

Yes. Current CST776-series Drake toilets use TOTO's TORNADO FLUSH system. Comparisons stating that the Drake uses only the older G-Max system are generally referring to an earlier generation of the Drake.

Are both Drake and Drake II available with WASHLET+ bowls?

Yes. The Drake uses the C776CEFGT40 WASHLET+ bowl, while the Drake II uses the C454CUFGT40 WASHLET+ bowl.

What is the difference between CST776CEFG and MS776124CEFG?

CST776CEFG uses the regular C776CEFG bowl and does not include a toilet seat. MS776124CEFG uses the C776CEFGT40 WASHLET+ bowl and includes an SS124 SoftClose seat.

What is the difference between CST454CEFG and MS454124CEFG?

CST454CEFG uses the regular C454CUFG Drake II bowl and does not include a seat. MS454124CEFG uses the C454CUFGT40 WASHLET+ bowl and includes the SS124 SoftClose seat.

Does MS776124CEFG or MS454124CEFG include a WASHLET bidet seat?

No. Both include the conventional SS124 SoftClose seat. They use WASHLET+ compatible T40 bowls so a compatible electronic WASHLET can be added. Complete TOTO toilet-and-WASHLET packages generally use MW model numbers.

Which is taller, the Drake or Drake II?

For the models discussed here, the ceramic rim height is essentially the same at approximately 16-1/8". Their overall heights and installed seat heights vary only slightly.

Which toilet is better, the Drake or Drake II?

Neither is universally better. For the current models, flushing technology and major performance specifications are extremely similar. We recommend choosing based on the specific configuration you need, appearance and price rather than assuming that Drake II is automatically the higher-performing toilet.

Final Takeaway

The biggest mistake when comparing the current TOTO Drake and Drake II is assuming the product names tell you which toilet has the better technology.

They don't.

The current CST776CEFG Drake and CST454CEFG Drake II are directly comparable conventional two-piece toilets. Both provide TORNADO FLUSH, 1.28 GPF water use, CEFIONTECT, Universal Height and elongated bowls, with their seats sold separately.

Likewise, the MS776124CEFG Drake and MS454124CEFG Drake II are directly comparable WASHLET+ ready configurations. Both replace the standard bowl with the appropriate T40 WASHLET+ bowl and include an SS124 SoftClose seat.

Once the models are compared correctly, the choice becomes much simpler: Drake vs. Drake II is primarily a choice between two different designs built around very similar current TOTO flushing technology.

As always with TOTO products, pay attention to the complete model number. A few letters can determine the bowl type, glaze, seat, WASHLET+ compatibility and other features even when two products have almost identical names.