Kohler Cimarron Toilet Reviews- Features & Comparisons

Last Updated on May 18, 2022 by toilethaven

Is Kohler Cimarron a good toilet? Should you buy it? Which model of the Kohler Cimarron is the best? I will write that and much more in this post.

Kohler Cimarron is a 2-piece elongated comfort height WaterSense toilet. It is a single flush toilet with a rating of 1.28 gallons per flush, using Kohler’s AquaPiston flushing technology.

Kohler Cimarron toilets comes in 25 models but the K-3589 and K-3609 are the 2 most popular and best flushing models. TheK-3609 uses only 1.28 gallons per flush while K-3589 uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush meaning it cannot be sold in some states.

Kohler Cimarron is one of the best flushing toilet not only among other Kohler toilets but in the entire industry. While its design offers nothing much to write home about, the Cimarron is a strong flushing toilet thanks to the AquaPiston flushing system which is designed for bulk flushing.

Kohler K-3589 Cimarron Review

kohler-cimarron-toilet

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Features and Specifications

  • Elongated bowl
  • 2-piece toilet
  • 12-inch rough-in
  • DryLock installation system
  • Aqua Piston technology
  • 1.6 gallons per flush
  • Floor mounted
  • Gravity flush
  • Toilet seat not included
  • Toilet bowl height: 16.5 inch
  • Depth :29.5 inches
  • Width: 17.625 inches
  • Height:  30.75 inches
  • One year limited warranty

Kohler K-3609 Cimarron

kohler-cimarron-toilet-review

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Features and Specifications

  • 2-piece toilet
  • Elongated bowl
  • 1.28 gallons per flush
  • WaterSense certified
  • AquaPiston technology
  • 12-inch rough-in
  • Toilet seat not included
  • DryLock tank installation
  • Single flush
  • Toilet bowl height: 16.5 inch
  • Depth: 29.5 inches
  • Width: 17.625 inches
  • Height: 30.75 inches
  • One year warranty

Kohler K-3851-0 Cimarron Round Toilet

kohler-cimarron-round-toilet

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Features and Specifications

  • 2-piece toilet
  • Round-front toilet bowl
  • 10-inch rough
  • 1.28 gallons per flush
  • WaterSense certified
  • DryLock tank installation
  • AquaPiston technology
  • Single flush
  • Toilet seat not included.
  • Toilet bowl height: 16.5 inches
  • Depth: 27. 25 inches
  • Width: 17.625 inches
  • Height: 30.5 inches
  • One year warranty

Kohler 5310-0 Cimarron Skirted Toilet

kohler-cimarron-toilet

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Features and Specification

  • 2-piece toilet
  • Elongated bowl
  • 1.28 gallons per flush
  • Skirted trapway
  • 12-inch rough-in
  • Comfort height
  • ReadyLock installation system
  • Single flush
  • Toilet seat not included
  • Adjustable to 10 and 14-inch rough-in
  • AquaPiston technology
  • Toilet bowl length: 16.5 inches
  • Depth: 29 inches
  • Width: 17.625 inches
  • Height: 30.5 inches
  • One year warranty

Kohler K-3828-0 Cimarron One-Piece Toilet

kohler-cimarron-toilet

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Features and Specifications

  • 1-piece toilet
  • Elongated bowl
  • 1.28 gallons per flush
  • 12-inch rough-in
  • AquaPiston flushing technology
  • Quiet-close toilet seat included
  • Single flush
  • Comfort height
  • Toilet bowl height: 16.5 inch
  • Length: 29.31 inch
  • Width: 18.937 inch
  • Height: 28. 812 inch
  • One year limited

Kohler Cimarron Toilets Review

Should you buy a Kohler Cimarron toilet? And if you should which of the models should you go for? Before buying any toilet, there are several factors you should consider. These include cost, flushing performance, the type of flushing, toilet dimensions, type of toilet bowl, affordability of toilet repair parts, color, size of your bathroom, the rough-in, the brand etc.

1. The Kohler brand

Kohler was started in 1873 and has been manufacturing toilets and other home improvement products ever since. They have therefore perfected their craft and are among the big 3 toilet manufacturers alongside Toto and American Standard.

To be specific enough, there are very many models of the Kohler Cimarron toilet with each intended to serve a particular purpose.

2. Comfort height

Kohler Cimarron toilets have what is known as comfort/universal/right/chair height. The distance between the base of the toilet and the top of the toilet bowl without a toilet seat is 16.5 inch. It is bound to get even higher when you add a toilet seat.

A comfort height toilet is very convenient especially for tall people or people with limited mobility like the elderly, disabled or those recovering from knee/hip surgery.

I have written a detailed article on the pros and cons of comfort height vs standard height toilets. Read it here.

3. Elongated toilet bowl

Kohler Cimarron toilets have an elongated bowl which is very comfortable compared to round-front toilets bowls. An elongated bowl has a length of about 18.5 inches which therefore provides a bigger surface area for the user to sit on.

4. Round toilet bowl

The Kohler K-3887 Cimarron is a round toilet which is ideal for people with small bathrooms. Round toilets bowls have a length of around 16.5inch and are therefore more space efficient that elongated toilets. They are also more comfortable for kids. Most kids find the elongated bowl to be too big for them

The downside to the Kohler K-3887 Cimarron is that it is very pricy compared to other Cimarron models. Unlike the rest cheaper models, this one has an insulated toilet tank which prevents “toilet sweating”

The other round Kohler Cimarron toilet is the Kohler K-3851-0 Cimarron but is only for toilets with a 10-inch rough-in. If you need a cheaper round-front toilet with a 12-inch rough then you should consider Kohler Wellworth toilet or American Standard H2 Option.

To read more on the pros and cons of elongated vs round toilets check out this post.

5. Kohler Cimarron skirted toilet

Skirted toilets are toilets with a concealed trapway. They therefore have very few if any nooks and crannies which makes cleaning them so fast and easy. Kohler 5310-0 Cimarron is one such toilet.

This toilet is designed with a 12-inch rough-in. However, there are special kits which are used to adjust it to a 10 or 14-inch rough in toilet.

The only downside to skirted toilets is that they are a little bit harder to install compared to non-skirted toilets. Kohler has made a very good video explaining how to install a skirted toilet through their patented ReadyLock installation system.

6. Kohler Cimarron One-piece toilet

The Kohler K-3828-0 Cimarron is a one-piece toilet which is beautifully designed with its toilet tank and bowl joint together. One-piece toilets are normally more compact than two-piece toilets which gives them a seamless design.

While two-piece toilets are normally shipped in 2 boxes, one-piece toilets are shipped in one box. Their weird shape is a little harder to box and they therefore break during shipping more frequently than two-piece toilets.

Before buying a Kohler Cimarron one-piece toilet, it would be nice to compare it with Kohler Santa Rosa which is also a one-piece toilet and see which will please you more. The Santa Rosa is however a little more expensive.

I have also written a detailed blog post comparing the pros and cons of one-piece toilets vs two-piece toilets. Read it here.

7. EPA WaterSense Labeled

Apart from the Kohler K-3589-0 Cimarron model which has a rating of 1.6 gallons per flush, the other Cimarron toilet models have a rating of 1.28 gallons per flush and therefore EPA WaterSense certified.

WaterSense is a program run by the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency to encourage consumers to use products that are water efficient. WaterSense compliant toilets have a rating of 1.28 GPF or below and are labeled as such.

This also means these toilets can be sold in California. Unlike other places where the requirement of a toilet is 1.6 gallons per flush, toilets in California must not exceed 1.28 gallons per flush.

8. AquaPiston Flush Technology

The Kohler Cimarron toilets uses the AquaPiston technology which has been designed and patented by Kohler to give a powerful flush. So how is the AquaPiston different from the ordinary toilet flapper?

A flapper is hinged to one side and therefore when you initiate the flushing process water starts running down into the bowl before the actual flush happens. With the AquaPiston technology, the piston moves up vertically allowing water to move down the canister all at once in a 360 degrees angle.

What is even more interesting is the design of the flush valve. It is wide at the water entry than at the exit in a 3:2 ratio. What this does is to build up the pressure of the water and therefore it enters the bowl forcefully resulting into a powerful flush.

9. DryLock Tank Installation System

The design and installation of Kohler Cimarron toilet tank and pretty much most Kohler toilets is different from other brands. The toilet tanks do not have bolt holes, instead the bolts (3 of them) are hooked from underneath the toilet tank.

What this system does is to eliminate the leaks which normally come about when the toilet bolts become loose. The 3-bolt installation also makes the tank sturdier and therefore not a chance of wobbling.

10. Toilet Sweating.

Toilet sweating occurs when the air in the bathroom is warm and then the toilet tank fills with cold water after flushing. Condensation occurs outside the toilet tank’s surface a condition which is referred to as toilet sweating.

Some models of the Kohler Cimarron toilet have an insulated toilet tank that prevents condensation or “toilet sweating” from taking place. This models include:

  • Kohler K-3851-0 Cimarron
  • Kohler K-3609-U-0 Cimarron
  • Kohler K-3887-U-0 Cimarron

Kohler Cimarron Toilet Problems

Overall, the Kohler Cimarron toilets are actually very decent and flush well. The one thing that some users find or complain about is that it does not rinse the bowl well. Of course a toilet that leaves skid marks is a major concern for most people.

Another problem that some people may experience with this toilet is clogging. This is somewhat ironical because some people report of frequent clogs and then there are people who says they haven’t experienced a clog ever since they bought and installed it.

One thing you can do to avoid this problem is to hold the toilet handle down a little longer during flushing. This makes sure as much water as possible leaves the tank and enters the bowl. Doing this will help keep the bowl clean and avoid clogging.

Kohler Cimarron Toilet Seat

Unfortunately, Kohler Cimarron toilets are sold without a toilet seat. I don’t understand why Kohler decided to do this but you will certainly need to buy a seat separately.

While buying a toilet seat you will need to choose from the many different types of seats that are available. These include: Plastic, wood, soft close, quick-release, top fixing, bottom fixing, round, elongated, heated, nightlight, bidet toilet seats etc.

You could decide to buy Kohler toilet seats or from other brands. Among the best toilets seats you can buy for a Kohler Cimarron toilet are:

  • Kohler Cachet soft close toilet seat
  • Brondell LumaWarm heated nightlight toilet seat
  • Bath Royal MasterSuite soft close toilet seat
  • Bemis 1500 EC 000 toilet seat

You can also go ahead a buy a bide seat to go with it. Some of the best bidet toilet seats are reviewed in this post.

Kohler Cimarron vs Kohler Santa Rosa

Kohler Santa Rosa is a 1-piece elongated single flush comfort height toilet. Its features and specifications are:

  • Compact elongated toilet
  • 1-piece toilet
  • 1.28 gallons per flush
  • Brevia quiet close toilet seat included
  • Single flush
  • 12-inch rough-in
  • WaterSense certified
  • Floor mounted
  • Mounting bolts included
  • Wax ring and supply line not included
  • Toilet bowl height: 16.5 inches
  • Depth: 27.75 inches
  • Width: 18.75 inches
  • Height: 28.187 inches
  • 1 year limited warranty

Kohler Santa Rosa has the same outward appearance as the Kohler Cimarron one-piece toilet but is more compact. The Kohler Cimarron is approximately 2 inches longer than the Santa Rosa but their widths and heights are almost identical.

Compact elongated toilets like the Kohler Santa Rosa were designed in a way such that they take up the same space as a round toilet but have an elongated bowl. Thy therefore provide more comfort while also occupying a small space.

Although there is not much more differences, Kohler Santa Rosa is more expensive than the Kohler Cimarron. Santa Rosa however looks sleeker than the Kohler Cimarron.

To read more on the Kohler Santa Rosa check out this post.

Kohler Cimarron vs American Standard Champion-4

American Standard Champion-4 is one-piece single flush elongated toilet. It is one of the best American Standard toilets and boasts of also being one of the best flushing toilets. Here are some of its features and specifications:

  • Elongated toilet
  • Slow close toilet seat included
  • 1.6 gallons per flush
  • 4-inch flush valve
  • 12-inch rough-in
  • Vitreous china material
  • Floor mounted
  • One-piece toilet
  • 10 year limited warranty
  • Mounting bolts and wax ring included
  • Matching toilet bolt caps included
  • Toilet bowl height: 16.5 inches
  • Depth: 29.75 inches
  • Width: 17.75 inches
  • Height: 29.5 inches

American Standard Champion-4 is a more high-end toilet than Kohler Cimarron. It is however not WaterSense certified because it has a rating of 1.6 gallons per flush. It uses a 4-inch piston action accelerator which allows it dump more water into the toilet bowl so fast therefore producing a powerful flush

The Champion-4 wins against the Kohler Cimarron but it is also more expensive. Read more about the Champion 4 in this post.

Kohler Cimarron vs Toto Drake

Toto Drake is a single flush elongated comfort height toilet that is one of the most famous models from Toto. Its features and specifications are:

  • 1.6 gallons per flush
  • Two-piece elongated toilet
  • G-Max flushing system
  • Single flush
  • 1.6 gallons per flush
  • Grazed trapway
  • Toilet seat not included
  • Gravity flush
  • 12-inch rough-in
  • Floor mounted
  • Toilet bowl height: 16.5 inches
  • Depth: 28.125 inches
  • Width: 19.875 inches
  • Height:  30.5 inches
  • One year limited warranty

Just like the American Standard Champion-4, Toto Drake elongated bowl and tank uses 1.6 gallons per flush. While only one model of the Kohler Cimarron toilets uses 1.6 gallons, the rest are WaterSense certified due to their rating of 1.28 gallons per flush.

Both the Kohler Cimarron and Toto Drake are of comfort height and are sold without toilet seats. Although the Toto Drake toilet flushes well, Kohler Cimarron is more powerful than it but is also more expensive. Toto toilet are also being made to use the E-max flushing system which is more water-efficient than the G-max flushing system used by the Toto Drake.

Kohler Cimarron vs Kohler Highline

Kohler Highline is a two-piece elongated comfort height toilet. How does it compare with the Kohler Cimarron? Here are its features and specifications:

  • Elongated toilet
  • 1.28 gallons per flush
  • Single flush toilet
  • Class Five flushing technology
  • 12-inch rough-in
  • 3-bolt installation
  • Seat and supply line not included
  • Vitreous china material
  • WaterSense certified
  • Toilet bolt caps included
  • Floor mounted
  • Toilet bowl height: 16.5 inch
  • Length: 29.75 inch
  • Width: 18 inch
  • Height: 31.25 inch
  • One year limited warranty

Kohler Cimarron is an upgraded version of Kohler Highline. Both of these toilets are single flush, comfort height and use 1.28 gallons of water per flush.

The Cimarron is more expensive than the Kohler Highline which is justified due to the extra features that it has more than the Highline.

Kohler Cimarron vs Kohler Wellworth Toilet

The Kohler K-3987-96 Wellworth is a dual flush round-front two-piece toilet. It is designed to cater for people with small bathrooms and those who would want the convenience of a dual flush toilet. Here are its features and specifications:

  • 2-piece toilet
  • Round toilet
  • 12-inch rough-in
  • Toilet seat not included
  • Mounting bolts, water supply line and wax ring not included
  • Floor mounted
  • Dual flush
  • 1.6/1.1 gallons per flush
  • Gravity flush
  • One year limited warranty
  • WaterSense certified
  • 3-bolt installation
  • Toilet bowl height: 14.5 inches
  • Depth: 27.75 inches
  • Width: 18inches
  • Height:  29.25 inches

Unlike Kohler Cimarron toilets, the Kohler Wellworth toilets have a dual flush and are also of standard height. Round toilets are excellent for saving space especially if you have a small bathroom and cannot afford a compact elongated toilet.

The Kohler Wellworth gives you the option of using 1.1 gallons of water per flush to flush liquids and 1.6 gallons of water for solids and therefore helps to conserve water.

Apart from the Kohler K-3987-96 Wellworth toilet, other Kohler Wellworth toilet models exists with different features and specifications.

Both the Kohler Cimarron and Wellworth toilets are great products and you should choose the one that best fits your needs.

Final Words

Kohler Cimarron toilets are some of the best mid-range toilets and come in a variety of models to help you choose the one that best suit your needs. They are available in a variety of colors like white, black, almond, biscuit, dune Ice gray and sandbar.

As a matter of fact Kohler makes some of the best black toilets. This toilets are made of ceramic which naturally occurs as a white substance, black Kohler Cimarron toilets are a little bit more expensive than white ones.

It is also good to understand that even the best made product will have some negative reviews. This could be due to manufacturing defects which could affect a few pieces but most products will still be up to standard