Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Cover

v3.20.4
Cover - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Feb. 18, 2021
Jun. 30, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-K    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2020    
Document Transition Report false    
Entity File Number 1-13395    
Entity Registrant Name SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.    
Entity Central Index Key 0001043509    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2020    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Amendment Flag false    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE    
Entity Tax Identification Number 56-2010790    
Entity Address, Address Line One 4401 Colwick Road    
Entity Address, City or Town Charlotte    
Entity Address, State or Province NC    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 28211    
City Area Code 704    
Local Phone Number 566-2400    
Title of 12(b) Security Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share    
Trading Symbol SAH    
Security Exchange Name NYSE    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Public Float     $ 916.8
Documents Incorporated by Reference
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registrant’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the extent described herein.
    
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag true    
Class A Common stock      
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   29,797,727  
Class B Common stock      
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   12,029,375