Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v2.4.0.8
Document and Entity Information
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Apr. 17, 2014
Common Class A [Member]
Apr. 17, 2014
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-Q    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2014    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2014    
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1    
Entity Registrant Name SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC    
Entity Central Index Key 0001043509    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   40,532,948 12,029,375