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Cortina White vs. Glacier White vs. Ibis White

33061 Views 19 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  maxislim
I have not yet seen a Cortina White Q3 in person.


How does it compare to Audi's Glacier White and Ibis White? Trying to get a feel for this color.
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My fiance just took delivery of her Cortina White Q3 last Saturday. They had a Glacier White one when we bought hers, and the best way I can describe the difference is that Cortina is a cleaner white. The Glacier did not look metallic/pearlescent as I had hoped, instead it was more of a greyish/dirty looking white. But that's just my opinion/observation :)
My fiance just took delivery of her Cortina White Q3 last Saturday. They had a Glacier White one when we bought hers, and the best way I can describe the difference is that Cortina is a cleaner white. The Glacier did not look metallic/pearlescent as I had hoped, instead it was more of a greyish/dirty looking white. But that's just my opinion/observation :)


Thank you for the insight. Wonder how Cortina compares to Ibis then, as Ibis is a striking pure white...
Cortina & Glacier are the only options for the Q3 that I know of/can see listed, but I can only assume that the Ibis and Cortina would be very similar.

Edit: I see you were just using Ibis for comparative purposes. I still think it's probably the same as/very similar to Cortina :)
I believe Glacier is the base white, like you see all the 3 series painted in. ITs much flatter, less depth.

Cheaper to repair in the event of an accident however...
Glacier IS the metallic white!

Just to clarify, Glacier White is the metallic white. It sparkles in the sun...very pretty.
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To me, the Cortina white looked brighter/incandescent/brilliant and the Glacier white more sparkly/metallic/pearlescent...

Also, the Q5 color options are: Glacier white metallic or Ibis White
while the Q3 color options are: Glacier white metallic or Cortina White


I believe (and don't quote on this) that Ibis white is the same color as Cortina white or glacier they are just called different on different models. I remember being in the dealership lot and just pointing my finger at white cars and letting the sales guy call out the name of the white colors.

I remember asking him about the Ibis white since I noticed that he only called it out on a Q5 and he mentioned that it was the same as Cortina (or Glacier white) but just called different.
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To me, the Cortina white looked brighter/incandescent/brilliant and the Glacier white more sparkly/metallic/pearlescent...

Also, the Q5 color options are: Glacier white metallic or Ibis White
while the Q3 color options are: Glacier white metallic or Cortina White


I believe (and don't quote on this) that Ibis white is the same color as Cortina white or glacier they are just called different on different models. I remember being in the dealership lot and just pointing my finger at white cars and letting the sales guy call out the name of the white colors.

I remember asking him about the Ibis white since I noticed that he only called it out on a Q5 and he mentioned that it was the same as Cortina (or Glacier white) but just called different.
Audi does NOT change the name of a color for a different model - Ibis is a non-metallic white - the brightest non-metallic they have. Cortina is also non-metallic but a shade of yellow added to Ibis. Glacier has some blue and silver metallic powders to yield a pearlescent effect while Suzuka has some black, blue and silver powders for a touch of gray and pearl.
btw, there are at least 22 different whites from Audi and they usually keep the names forever, some used or not used for exclusive colors from model to model, but the names stay the same regardless.

for grins, here are some recents : Alpine, Amalfi, Arctic, Atlas, Brilliant, Calla, Campanella, Candy, Carrara, Casablanca, Cortina, Exclusive White, Glacier, Ibis, Ivory, Lotus, Pastel, Pearl, Pearlescent, Polar, Pure, White Pearl, and Suzuka (technically a gray, but most folks who see Suzuka and Ibis side by side cannot tell the difference until nightfall or off-shade bright sun)
Audi does NOT change the name of a color for a different model - Ibis is a non-metallic white - the brightest non-metallic they have. Cortina is also non-metallic but a shade of yellow added to Ibis. Glacier has some blue and silver metallic powders to yield a pearlescent effect while Suzuka has some black, blue and silver powders for a touch of gray and pearl.
Thanks for the clarification (on the color names)... and this is coming from the sales guy from my dealership. I never got a chance to confirm the white color names. This is also the same guy that also told me that Texas no longer requires front license plates.....

I called the DMV a couple of days after to confirm and guess what.... Texas still requires to have a front and back license plate :mad:
Thanks for the clarification (on the color names)... and this is coming from the sales guy from my dealership. I never got a chance to confirm the white color names. This is also the same guy that also told me that Texas no longer requires front license plates.....

I called the DMV a couple of days after to confirm and guess what.... Texas still requires to have a front and back license plate :mad:
Yes, Texas does still technically require a front plate. I got stopped for not having one twice on my old car. When I explained my husband was not down with drilling the bumper, neither officer was impressed with the logic. :-/ They give you a warning to install it, but you do not have to prove that you actually did it.... so required, but not really enforced.
I have the Glacier White. It does sparkle in the sun, and it has a slightly bluish tint in the right light. My husband thought the Cortina looked like a refrigerator, I think it's just a warmer shade of white. Then again, I bought my car on a rainy day and nothing looked great in the drizzle.

And thanks Roger for the long list of Audi whites, that was pretty cool. :)
Yes, Texas does still technically require a front plate. I got stopped for not having one twice on my old car. When I explained my husband was not down with drilling the bumper, neither officer was impressed with the logic. :-/ They give you a warning to install it, but you do not have to prove that you actually did it.... so required, but not really enforced.


Enforcement really depends on the officer. My sister used to get pull over on her infinity all the time and never got a ticket, then her husband borrowed her car once and got a $150 ticket.



Last year, DPS removed the requirement of the front plates, but it was argued by some police departments and they put the requirement back. It only lasted a couple of weeks
I have the Glacier White. It does sparkle in the sun, and it has a slightly bluish tint in the right light. My husband thought the Cortina looked like a refrigerator, I think it's just a warmer shade of white. Then again, I bought my car on a rainy day and nothing looked great in the drizzle.

And thanks Roger for the long list of Audi whites, that was pretty cool. :)
REFRIGERATOR!!! LOL :laugh:
I didn't think of that before

But yes, I agree.. it does look like a refrigerator white. I like it hehe
That would be one fast and luxurious Refrigerator, specifically the worlds fastest ;)
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Having both the Cortina and the Glacier Metallic, I am a bigger fan of the Cortina. Mine is the Glacier and it is the PURE white/slightly blueish hue like and iceberg.
The one shade of yellow added in to the Cortina is much more to my liking. My most favorite is the White Diamond Pearl on the Odyssey.

I have asked my wife to switch Q3s with me so I can drive the Cortina but she keeps saying no!
I have asked my wife to switch Q3s with me so I can drive the Cortina but she keeps saying no!
Whoever gets to the Crotina first gets dibs!
Whoever gets to the Crotina first gets dibs!
That would be nice! But without the memory seats I bang my knee every time I try to get in it!!
That would be nice! But without the memory seats I bang my knee every time I try to get in it!!
Um, you know the seat controller is HOT, right?

On the rare occasion I can borrow my wife's Q3 I just open the door and push on the aft end of the parallel switch until the seat is lower and further aft before climbing in....:cool:

But remember, if you don't return the seat to its original position, your wife will know!
I believe Glacier is the base white, like you see all the 3 series painted in. ITs much flatter, less depth.
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