    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0001043509-21-000005-index.html : 20210225
    <SEC-HEADER>0001043509-21-000005.hdr.sgml : 20210225
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20210225160054
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001043509-21-000005
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	PRE 14A
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		5
    CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20210318
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20210225
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20210225

    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:		21680138

    	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>pre14aproxy2021.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>PRE 14A
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: pre14aproxy2021.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>image_01.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: image_01.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>image_11.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: image_11.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>4
    <FILENAME>sahpre14a-c1_pagex11.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 4 - file: sahpre14a-c1_pagex11.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>5
    <FILENAME>sahpre14a-c1_pagex21.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 5 - file: sahpre14a-c1_pagex21.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    </SEC-DOCUMENT>