In-Depth Review of The Kohler Cimarron Comfort Height Elongated Toilet

Last Updated on November 8, 2026

Kohler often comes up when people look for the best flushing toilets in the world. Within the best Kohler toilet series, the Cimarron is an appealing option if you want a higher seat, an elongated bowl and a tank you can service. This review covers two specific models, the Sandbar K-3609-G9 and the White K-3589-0. Both fit a 12-inch rough-in, but one uses 1.28 gallons per flush and the other uses 1.6.

Our Recommended Top 2 Kohler Cimarron Toilets Comparison

Start with the water consumption rate and the fit in your bathroom. Both toilets feature a two-piece design with the same 16½-inch rim height, a left-hand lever and an elongated bowl. The K-3609-G9 uses less water and carries the WaterSense label. The K-3589-0 gives you the same seating geometry with a larger flush volume. Both require you to choose and buy a seat separately.

Kohler K-3609-G9 Cimarron 1.28 GPF Toilet Review

The 1.28 GPF Kohler Cimarron toilet is the better fit for most households that want to use less water. Its Sandbar finish is a warm neutral if you are matching an existing bathroom. Check the suffix on the box and the seller’s model name if you are ordering a matching seat. Kohler has offered the Cimarron in several finishes, and the K-3609-G9 identifies the Sandbar configuration reviewed here.

Unique Flushing System

The AquaPiston valve lifts a canister to release water around the opening at the bottom of the tank. Gravity drives the flush as the bowl and glazed trapway create a siphon. The tank holds the amount of water needed for its 1.28-gallon flush. If you are weighing that against a pressure-assisted toilet, see the Difference between Kohler Cimarron and Highline. The 1.28-gallon Cimarron can also be a better fit where water-use limits or a local rebate program apply. Check your local requirements before ordering.

Technical Specifications of the Kohler Cimarron 1.28 GPF Toilet

Easy Installation

The vitreous china tank and bowl arrive as separate pieces, which makes it easier to carry them through a hallway or up stairs. Start by measuring from the finished wall to the center of the closet bolts, ignoring the baseboard. Then check the shutoff position, the floor flange and the door swing. A toilet can have the correct rough-in and still block a cabinet or door. The toilet fit checker helps organize those measurements before you order.

Comfort Height and Seating

Kohler’s comfort height describes chair-height seating. The 16½-inch measurement is to the rim of the ceramic bowl. Your chosen seat adds height, so check the assembled height if a shorter adult or child will use this bathroom often. An elongated front gives adults more room, while a round-front bowl may suit a shallow room. An accessible installation also depends on clearances, the seat and the side the flush control is on.

If you would rather clean around a one-piece bowl and tank, see the Feature Review and Common Issue With the Kohler San Souci Toilet. The Cimarron has a more traditional exposed trapway and a visible tank-to-bowl joint.

Pros and Cons of the Kohler Cimarron Comfort Height Toilet

Kohler K-3589-0 Cimarron 1.6 GPF Toilet Overview

The K-3589-0 is the White 1.6 GPF Kohler Cimarron toilet. It keeps the same basic layout as the 1.28 GPF model, from the elongated vitreous china bowl to the left-hand chrome lever. If you like the height but prefer a different tank profile, compare the Latest User Review of Kohler Memoirs Comfort Height 2-Piece Toilet.

AquaPiston Flush

The larger flush volume is the main reason to consider this model. You get a 1.6 GPF AquaPiston gravity flush, with the same nominal 2⅛-inch trapway diameter as the 1.28 GPF version. A larger flush volume tells you how much water the tank releases. If the toilet you are replacing backs up regularly, check for an obstruction or venting issue before expecting a new tank to solve it.

Technical Specifications of the Kohler Cimarron 1.6 GPF Toilet

Height and Design

Being a two-piece toilet, the K-3589-0 can be moved and placed in two lifts. Check whether the package includes the flange seal and floor bolts, then add a compatible elongated seat and a supply line to your list. Once the bowl sits flat, tighten each side evenly according to Kohler’s directions. If the bowl rocks, deal with the floor or shims before you connect the tank. Extra force on the mounting bolts can damage the porcelain.

Warranty and Parts

Kohler covers the fixture under its limited toilet warranty. Keep the purchase details and note the model inside the tank before you need a repair. Both versions use a K-4309 bowl, but the 1.28 GPF K-3609 uses a K-4421 tank and the 1.6 GPF K-3589 uses a K-4418 tank. If a tank cracks or a valve fails, match parts to the installed tank and its flush rating.

Pros and Cons of the Kohler Cimarron 1.6 GPF Elongated Toilet

Two Alternatives to the Kohler Cimarron Toilet

Kohler Santa Rosa Toilet

The Santa Rosa K-3810-95 is an Ice Grey one-piece alternative with an elongated bowl, a 16½-inch rim and a 1.28 GPF AquaPiston flush. It has a 12-inch rough-in, a left-side lever and a Quiet-Close seat. At 27¾ inches long, 18¾ inches wide and 28³⁄₁₆ inches high, it gives you a shorter projection and a lower tank. The tank-to-bowl seam is gone, but you need to carry the whole fixture together.

Kohler Elliston Comfort Height 2-Piece Elongated Toilet

The Elliston K-12767 is a 1.28 GPF, WaterSense-labeled two-piece option with a Class Five gravity flush, a 12-inch rough-in and an elongated Comfort Height bowl. The Complete Solution package includes a quick-release seat, wax ring and floor hardware. You supply the water line. It is about 30 inches long, 16¾ inches wide and 30½ inches high. That narrower tank can help where the supply stop or a vanity is close to the toilet.

Toilet Comparison Table – Kohler Highline vs. Kohler Cimarron vs. TOTO Drake

These examples use a 12-inch rough-in, so the decision is mostly about height, flush mechanism and water use. Check the full model number when comparing. For example, this Highline Classic has a pressure vessel in the tank. Other toilets carrying the Highline name use gravity.

Conclusion

Choose the K-3609-G9 if you want the lower-volume flush and Sandbar fits your bathroom. The White K-3589-0 gives you the same chair-height geometry with 1.6 gallons per flush. The difference is 0.32 gallon each time. If the toilet is used 15 times per day, that works out to about 1,750 gallons a year. Use the household toilet water-use calculator to compare the two with your own flush count and water rates.

With either Kohler Cimarron toilet, measure rough-in and door clearance first, then budget for the separate elongated seat and water line. If someone in the household has trouble standing up from a low seat, check the finished height with the seat installed.

FAQs

What does “Kohler BOLD” mean?

Kohler uses “The Bold Look of Kohler” as brand language. To compare these two models, use the rated flush volume, the actual bowl and seat measurements and the rough-in. The WaterSense label on the 1.28 GPF model gives you a separate efficiency criterion.

How does AquaPiston flushing technology work?

Pressing the lever lifts a canister and lets water flow into the bowl through the tank outlet. The bowl and trapway create the siphon that carries waste out. As the tank refills, the canister seals the opening again. A worn or dirty seal can let water trickle into the bowl between flushes.

Why does my Cimarron refill by itself?

Check whether the water in the tank rises into the overflow. If it does, check the fill valve setting. If the water stays below the overflow and the tank still refills periodically, inspect the canister seal and make sure the lever releases it fully. A few drops of food coloring in the tank can help confirm a slow leak if color appears in the bowl without flushing.

Can I move the 1.6 GPF tank onto the 1.28 GPF bowl?

Check the approved bowl-and-tank combination before replacing a tank. The two fixtures share a bowl model, but the tanks and the rated flush volumes differ. A tank that bolts on is only part of the match. Use the bowl and tank pairing specified for the complete toilet.