Sonic Automotive, Inc. Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Tax Benefit Expense from Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current:
Federal	$ 36,874us-gaap_CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	$ 33,367us-gaap_CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	$ 22,982us-gaap_CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit
State	5,771	5,647	1,090
Total current	42,645us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	39,014us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	24,072us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Deferred	20,523	5,329	25,900
Total provision for income taxes - (benefit) expense	$ 63,168us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	$ 44,343us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	$ 49,972us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit

Amount of current federal tax expense (benefit) pertaining to income (loss) from continuing operations.

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to taxable income (loss) from continuing operations.

Amount of current state and local tax expense (benefit) pertaining to income (loss) from continuing operations.