TOTO Maris Dual-Flush Two-Piece Elongated 1.28/0.9 GPF Toilet

The TOTO Maris positioning

The Maris (CST416CEMG) is one of TOTO's designer dual-flush two-piece toilets — sitting at a slightly lower price point than the Aquia IV ($478-$580) while offering similar dual-flush functionality and CeFiONtect glaze. At $480-$660, the Maris is the value-side designer dual-flush within TOTO's lineup, competing more with mid-tier alternatives than with TOTO's flagship dual-flush models.

For buyers comparing Aquia IV vs Maris: the primary differences are bowl shape (Maris is full elongated, Aquia IV is compact-elongated 17.5"), flush mechanism refinement (Aquia IV adds Tornado Flush technology, Maris uses standard gravity dual-flush), and color availability (Aquia IV has broader color options). For tight bathrooms, Aquia IV's compact-elongated is the right pick. For full-size bathrooms wanting designer dual-flush TOTO, Maris is the lower-price alternative.

What "dual-flush" means in the Maris

The Maris uses a TOTO-engineered dual-flush canister mechanism inside the tank. Two button positions on the top-mount actuator:

• Light flush (0.9 GPF): press the smaller button. Lifts the canister partially, releasing less water. For liquid waste.
• Full flush (1.28 GPF): press the larger button. Lifts the canister fully, releasing the complete water reserve. For solid waste.

The dual-flush canister architecture is similar to (but not interchangeable with) the Aquia IV's canister. Both use TOTO part TSU99A.X for replacement (when the canister wears out at 10-12 years), but the calibration and seal pattern are slightly different between models. Order Maris-specific parts when servicing a Maris.

Average water savings analysis

For a two-person household using ~70% light flushes and 30% full flushes:

• Average GPF: ~1.04 (0.7 × 0.9 + 0.3 × 1.28)
• Annual savings vs 1.28 GPF single-flush: ~3,500 gallons
• Annual savings vs 1.6 GPF: ~9,800 gallons
• At typical US water rates ($0.005-$0.015/gallon): $18-$53/year
• At drought-rate areas ($0.025+/gallon): $87-$245/year
• Rebate eligibility: California, Arizona, Texas utilities frequently offer $50-$150 for dual-flush WaterSense — drops payback to 2-4 years

The variant matrix

What's in the box

• Bowl with contemporary designer styling
• Tank with pre-installed dual-flush canister mechanism
• Top-mount push-button dual-flush actuator (chrome standard)
• Tank-to-bowl gasket and brass bolts
• CeFiONtect glaze on bowl interior
• Wax ring NOT included
• SoftClose seat NOT included — TOTO SS213 elongated SoftClose ($60-90) recommended
• Installation manual + adjustment instructions for dual-flush calibration

Install requirements and procedure

• Rough-in: 12 inches (standard).
• Weight: ~90 lbs total (tank ~38, bowl ~52).
• Standard two-piece install — same procedure as Drake II / Aquia IV. See Drake II install walkthrough.
• Dual-flush canister is factory-set — no adjustment needed at install. The light vs full flush volumes are calibrated to 0.9/1.28 GPF.
• The push-button actuator requires a slight habit-formation period — most owners adapt within 2-3 weeks.

What owners report

• Dual-flush water savings are real and meaningful in California/Arizona/Texas households. Owners with monitored water meters report 25-30% reduction in toilet-related water use.
• The 0.9 GPF light flush is generally sufficient for liquid waste — occasional double-flushing in paper-heavy use. Most owners adapt by using full-flush for paper-heavy visits.
• CeFiONtect glaze performs as expected — extended cleaning intervals, reduced mineral spotting in hard-water areas.
• The push-button actuator works reliably — owners report consistent flush response after the initial habit-formation period.
• The dual-flush canister fails at 10-12 years in most reports. Symptoms: phantom flushing, slow flush, or canister won't reset cleanly. Replacement is straightforward — pull old canister, drop new in, no tank removal needed. TOTO TSU99A.X replacement, ~$45, 30-minute DIY.
• Service life: 25+ years porcelain. Same TOTO build quality as higher-tier models.

Where Maris wins vs Aquia IV

• Lower price ($480-$580 vs $478-$580 — comparable but Maris sometimes discounted lower)
• Full elongated bowl (18.5") vs Aquia IV's compact-elongated (17.5")
• More floor footprint flexibility for households with full-size bathrooms

Where Aquia IV wins vs Maris

• Tornado Flush technology for stronger bowl-cleansing (Maris uses standard gravity dual-flush)
• Compact-elongated bowl (17.5") for space-constrained bathrooms
• Broader retail availability — Aquia IV is more widely stocked
• More color options
• Newer model with refined dual-flush canister design

Where Maris competes against other brands

The verdict

Buy Maris if:

• You want TOTO dual-flush + CeFiONtect at the lowest price within TOTO's dual-flush range
• Your bathroom has space for a full elongated bowl (18.5")
• You're in a rebate-eligible utility district and want water savings
• Standard gravity dual-flush is sufficient (you don't need Tornado-grade flush velocity)

Skip Maris and choose Aquia IV if:

• Your bathroom is space-constrained (compact-elongated saves 1 inch of depth)
• You want Tornado Flush technology
• You want broader color and retail availability
• You prefer the newer designer dual-flush model

Skip Maris and choose Connelly if you want skirted-trapway styling and the additional $60-$140 is justifiable for the upgrade.

Warranty

TOTO Maris residential warranty: 1 year on tank trim, lifetime on porcelain. Dual-flush canister: 5-year mechanism warranty. SoftClose seat (sold separately) carries its own 1-year warranty. Service through TOTO USA Atlanta. The dual-flush canister replacement is a documented common service item; TOTO handles it efficiently.

Pricing reality (2026)

Maris CST416CEMG (Cotton White): $480-$580. Ferguson and Build.com Pro Desk: $420-$480. Home Depot: $549-$599 standard (limited stock; sometimes special-order). Sedona Beige and Bone variants +$60-$80. California utility rebates ($50-$150) drop net cost to $330-$530 in rebate-eligible zones.

The honest summary

The Maris is a competent designer dual-flush TOTO at a sensible mid-tier price. It's not TOTO's flagship dual-flush (Aquia IV is, with Tornado Flush) and it's not TOTO's premium dual-flush (Neorest 700H is). It occupies the value-tier designer dual-flush niche — where you want TOTO brand and CeFiONtect glaze and dual-flush water savings without paying the Aquia IV premium. For households where this combination fits, the Maris delivers exactly what's needed.