Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.19.3
Document and Entity Information - shares
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Oct. 21, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Registrant Name SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0001043509  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Document Type 10-Q  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2019  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Trading Symbol SAH  
Amendment Flag false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Small Business false  
City Area Code (704)  
Entity Address, Address Line One 4401 Colwick Road  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 28211  
Entity Tax Identification Number 56-2010790  
Local Phone Number 566-2400  
Entity File Number 1-13395  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Address, City or Town Charlotte,  
Entity Address, State or Province NC  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Class A Common Stock    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   31,105,000
Class B common stock    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   12,029,375