[jamie4]

It looks to me like the condenser is terribly exposed to damage from stones etc

Comapre to the Mazda 3 where it's properly shielded:

 

[Wayne43]

I'm surprised there isn't more plastic protection for the CX-30. Mazda should really fix that.

 

[conwelpic]

if concerned it shouldn't be much of a problem to install a mesh across the front of it. I had something similar on a vehicle many years ago and made up a mesh from metal gutter screening, shaped and fastened in place - it looked almost like it was factory installed.

 

[naranja]

I was surprised too, seems unfinished. Here's how the USA license bracket sits, if the UK is in the same place your plate may give pretty good protection. (Mine has two clips that grab the vertical bars in front of the condenser and unfortunately requires two screws on top in the bumper).

 

[zico21]

Somewhat off topic, but....I haven’t installed my front plate holder yet, but Im wondering if one could use a long tie wrap going through the holes where the screws are stored for shipping (as shown in your photo) going behind the same vertical bars that the clips catch on and then across the front of the holder, where it would be “sandwiched” by the license plate. No screw holes that way, my only concern is that the thin vertical bars should be the only thing supporting the holder and license plate.

 

[naranja]

.... No screw holes that way, my only concern is that the thin vertical bars should be the only thing supporting the holder and license plate.

There's a more substantial support in the center behind the bars and you could add some 3m mounting tape to the equation. I hate the idea of putting holes in the bumper but they are always going to be covered by the plate anyway and don't want to worry about the car wash knocking it around.

 

[R-Brown]

I was surprised too, seems unfinished. Here's how the USA license bracket sits, if the UK is in the same place your plate may give pretty good protection. (Mine has two clips that grab the vertical bars in front of the condenser and unfortunately requires two screws on top in the bumper).
View attachment 80

European license plates should provide more protection because they're wider than North American plates.

 

[zico21]

I have a Premium trim CX-30 and in looking at the front opening of my car I see what look like plastic slats or louvers that are in front of where I believe the condenser is. My previous 2017 Honda CRV had movable slats in this area but I haven’t found anything concerning this for the CX-30. Any thoughts?

i just noticed the original poster is from the UK, so that could explain the difference.

 

[naranja]

My USA Select Package CX-30 also has exposed condenser, no slats. This chart shows the Preferred and Premium level get a "Front grille with gloss finish" , maybe that includes the condenser protection. So probably a trim level thing... or could be regional? I'm in Texas.

 

[steve67]

Got a GT SPORT here in UK..
Just popped outside and I have louvers

 

[Sirion98]

Got a GT SPORT here in UK..
Just popped outside and I have louvers
View attachment 123

I believe this is a feature Mazda call “active air shutter”

In Australia at least, its only available on the CX-30 with 2.5 engine, which in turn is only available in the top trim levels - it seems to be one of these features that appear ( or not ) in random places around the world on higher trim models, but isn’t that well documented or advertised. There are a couple of videos on Youtube that explain it.

 

[carbonized]

For the US, this video confirms that the shutters are included with the top Premium trim, but are not included on lower trims. For some reason the feature is not listed anywhere on the trim feature lists.

 

[MAZman]

Can confirm - GT model in Canada has active grill shutters a.k.a. louvers.

 

[DeepSouthCX-30]

I think that this is poor design on an otherwise awesome car. My previous car had this same flaw. A little road debris here makes for a bad day - and expensive repair. My US preferred trim has no louvers, but I hope that I've fixed the issue with this mod.

 

[MAZman]

I agree with DeepSouthCX-30, this is definitely a mod well worth the time and effort to save yourself some grief and expense. Good job!

 

[Macachia]

I have louvres which open up at a specific speed. RHD model from the UK

 

[conwelpic]

part of the "exposed" area at the front gets covered with front license plates for the locations that use them.

 

[Avid Gardener]

It looks to me like the condenser is terribly exposed to damage from stones etc
I find the same so I ordered a pair that match the upper grill. I'll post some pics when they're installed.
Comapre to the Mazda 3 where it's properly shielded:

View attachment 77
View attachment 78

 

[SkuTorr]

Yep, this is what you need...less than $27!

 

[SixRotors]

My 2018 Mazda 6 Turbo is exactly the same, now with 45000km, and not a problem. When I came back from Calgary last December the lower grill opening was filled with snow and ice but it did not damage the condenser.