    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-17-056490-index.html : 20170224
    <SEC-HEADER>0001193125-17-056490.hdr.sgml : 20170224
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20170224170004
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-17-056490
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	PRE 14A
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		4
    CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20170418
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20170224
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20170224

    FILER:

    	COMPANY DATA:
    		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC
    		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001043509
    		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-AUTO DEALERS & GASOLINE STATIONS [5500]
    		IRS NUMBER:				562010790
    		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
    		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

    	FILING VALUES:
    		FORM TYPE:		PRE 14A
    		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
    		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13395
    		FILM NUMBER:		17638209

    	BUSINESS ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		4401 COLWICK ROAD
    		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
    		STATE:			NC
    		ZIP:			28211
    		BUSINESS PHONE:		704-566-2400

    	MAIL ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		4401 COLWICK ROAD
    		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
    		STATE:			NC
    		ZIP:			28211
    </SEC-HEADER>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>PRE 14A
    <SEQUENCE>1
    <FILENAME>d262161dpre14a.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>PRE 14A
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: d262161dpre14a.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>g262161g24k08.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: g262161g24k08.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>g262161g37g18.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: g262161g37g18.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>4
    <FILENAME>g262161g44k41.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 4 - file: g262161g44k41.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    </SEC-DOCUMENT>