Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

 v2.3.0.11
Document and Entity Information (USD $)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2010
Jul. 20, 2011
Common Class A
Jul. 20, 2011
Common Class B
Entity Registrant Name SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC      
Entity Central Index Key 0001043509      
Document Type 10-Q      
Document Period End Date Jun. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag false      
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2011      
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2      
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31      
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No      
Entity Voluntary Filers No      
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes      
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer      
Entity Public Float   $ 213,038,584    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding     41,004,084 12,029,375