Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.6.0.2
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Feb. 21, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-K    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2016    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Trading Symbol SAH    
Entity Registrant Name SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC    
Entity Central Index Key 0001043509    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Public Float     $ 554.9
Common Class A [Member]      
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   32,855,850  
Common Class B [Member]      
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   12,029,375