Sonic Auto Transportation: Reviews, Costs, And Our Take
Customers praise Sonic Auto Transportation’s excellent communication and quick service.
From our #1 rated provider, 
Key Points:
- Sonic Auto Transportation ships all kinds of vehicles to and from all 50 states.
- Sonic has only been in business since 2020 but receives mostly positive reviews from customers online.
- Sonic offers four tiers of shipping services, including a Premium option that includes same- or next-day pickup.
Sonic Auto Transportation is a vehicle transport broker that has shipped over 8,000 vehicles for customers across the United States. While Sonic Auto Transportation only has a few years of experience, we’ll consider the company’s reliability, pricing, shipping services, and customer reviews so you can determine whether it meets your needs.
We’ve researched the best car shipping companies and found that, in comparison, Sonic has a respectable number of positive customer reviews. Still, it’s best to look at a variety of quotes from vehicle shippers to determine which one offers the best price.
Our Sonic Auto Transportation Review And Methodology
We consider reliability, pricing, services, and customer experience when reviewing car shipping companies. The following sections provide detailed information about these categories and how Sonic Auto Transportation measures up in each of them.
Reliability: 3.8
State availability as well as years in the business are a couple of the main factors that make up our reliability ratings. Sonic has only been shipping cars since 2020, but is available in all 50 states. This combined with the company’s B+ rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) contributed to our rating of 3.8 out of 5.0 stars for Sonic in the reputation category.
Pricing: 3.5
We give Sonic a 3.5-star rating for pricing. Sonic Auto Transportation is a broker so it negotiates with a network of carriers to find cheap car shipping prices for customers.
Our team collected quotes from 19 companies based on shipping a 2019 Mazda CX-5 different distances using both open and enclosed transportation. Open shipping involves your car being transported on an open-air carrier where it is exposed to the elements. Enclosed shipping means your vehicle is shipped in an enclosed carrier where it receives more protection, although it’s more expensive.
Services: 4.3
Sonic offers a wide variety of shipping services. The company offers open and enclosed shipping as well as expedited shipping. Expedited shipping is great if you’re in a time crunch, but will cost more than a normal delivery.
Four service tiers are another highlight of this provider’s selection. Although the difference in tiers lies in the amount of time it takes to complete a delivery, each tier features open transport shipping as well as a vehicle insurance policy. We give the company a 4.3-star rating for its array of services.
Customer Experience: 4.4
When rating a provider for customer experience, we analyze online reviews and use our own experiences collecting quotes. Sonic has strong customer review scores on the BBB website as well as Trustpilot. The company simplifies the process by offering instant online quotes on its website. We give Sonic Auto Transportation a 4.4-star rating for customer experience.
Sonic Auto Transportation Overview
Founded: 2020
Headquarters: Costa Mesa, California
Service area: United States, including Alaska and Hawaii
Sonic Auto Transportation is a vehicle shipping broker based in Costa Mesa, California. According to its website, Sonic Auto has worked with 24,000 customers and has shipped 30,000 vehicles.
Because the company is a broker rather than a direct provider, it connects customers with carriers suited to their car shipping needs. Sonic Auto Transportation serves as a liaison in the process by providing the customer with the carrier’s full details to ensure clear communication.
Sonic Auto Transportation Customer Reviews
Sonic Auto Transportation has a B+ rating from the BBB, and customers on the site give the company an average of 4.4 out of 5.0 stars. Across more than 5,300 reviews on Trustpilot, customers give it an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 stars.
Sonic Auto Transportation also takes time to respond to negative reviews, which indicates that the company takes its reputation seriously. We analyzed 975 reviews across 25 companies and found that not many providers respond to critiques.
Positive Sonic Auto Transportation Reviews
Customers regularly praise the accessibility of Sonic Auto Transportation agents and the company’s timely shipping services.
“Very positive experience from start to finish. I do not believe the transport process could have been any better. Sonic Transport fulfilled their responsibilities 100 percent. My contact was excellent and was always available during the entire event.”
– BG via Trustpilot
“Absolutely amazing. My agent was great with communication and kept me informed every step of the way.”
– Shay via Trustpilot
Sonic Auto Transportation Complaints
Though there are many positive reviews for Sonic Auto Transportation, some reviews are far less upbeat. A few customers call Sonic a scam, and some say their total cost ended up higher than the original quote.
“Was quoted $1,100 to transport a car from Chicago to Seattle. Got a text message on the day of pickup that the truck got into an accident and the new price was $2,000.”
– Avinash via Trustpilot
Sonic Auto Transportation Shipping Services
Though Sonic Auto Transportation doesn’t offer international shipping, it does provide an array of other shipping services. The auto transport broker provides shipping for cars and less common vehicle types such as these:
- Boats
- Trucks
- Tractors
- Motorcycles
- All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
- Recreational vehicles (RVs)
Below are some of the services Sonic Auto Transportation offers.
- Open carrier shipping: Though open transport is less expensive than enclosed shipping, it leaves your vehicle more susceptible to damage from road debris and adverse weather conditions.
- Enclosed trailer shipping: If you want to make sure your luxury or classic car is safe from the elements, enclosed shipping may be your best option. Keep in mind that it comes at a much higher price point than open carrier shipping.
- Expedited shipping: If your car needs to be moved as soon as possible, Sonic Auto Transportation will work with your schedule for vehicle shipping. Bear in mind that last-minute shipping costs quite a bit more than delivery on a flexible schedule.
Sonic Auto Transportation Extras And Add-Ons
Sonic offers four service tiers to help you choose what’s best for your budget and needs. These offerings reveal how certain factors affect the cost of vehicle shipping and help first-time customers narrow their options down.
Here are the four tiers of service offered by Sonic Auto Transportation:
| Service Tier | Pickup Window | Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 10 days | Up to 20 days |
| Standard | 5 days | Up to 10 days |
| Recommended | 10 days | Up to 20 days |
| Premium | Same or next day | Rush delivery |
All four of these options feature open transport shipping and a $100,000 cargo insurance policy.
Sonic Auto Transportation Cost
Since Sonic Auto Transportation is a broker rather than direct transporter, the company negotiates with independent carriers to find cheap car shipping prices. Your rates will vary significantly based on the time of year, your car’s model, and the distance of your shipment.
Sonic Auto Transportation Quotes
Our research team received over 60 quotes from the industry’s top providers to get an idea of the average rates to ship a vehicle. To give you a sense of how much auto transport tends to cost, we’ll provide some average rates for shipping an operable 2019 Mazda CX-5.
| Shipping Distance | Transport Type | National Average Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 470 miles | Open | $664 |
| 1,640 miles | Open | $1,192 |
| 1,640 miles | Enclosed | $1,836 |
| 2,985 miles | Open | $1,478 |
We collected quotes from a variety of distances, but a survey our team conducted in August 2023 showed 58 percent of respondents shipped their car between 501 and 1,500 miles. That same survey also found that 49 percent of respondents paid between $1,001 and $2,000 to ship their vehicle.
What Affects Car Shipping Costs
While the numbers above are estimates from across the industry, various factors impact car shipping costs with Sonic Auto Transportation. These factors include:
- Distance: Car movers typically calculate their rates by distance. Cross-country and long-distance transports cost more overall but less per mile than shorter routes.
- Route popularity: Expect to pay lower prices for popular shipping routes, such as New York to Florida.
- Vehicle type and size: Larger vehicles, such as SUVs, are generally more expensive to ship.
- Type of transport: Enclosed transport costs more than open transport, and door-to-door transport is pricier than terminal-to-terminal transport.
- Vehicle condition: Inoperable vehicles require more labor to load and unload than operable vehicles, costing more.
- Time of year: Prices peak during January and the summer since the highest demand for auto shipping are around these times.
- Shipping time frame: The sooner you need your car shipped, the more expensive its delivery will likely be.
- Price of fuel: Shipping costs fluctuate in response to the cost of gasoline and diesel.
How To Ship A Car With Sonic Auto Transportation
If you’re curious about how to ship a car, Sonic Auto Transportation recommends the following five-step process:
- Request a car shipping quote online: Fill in your vehicle’s make, model, year, and operability status. Select your pickup and delivery locations, the pickup date for your service, and your chosen service tier. Provide an email address and phone number where Sonic Auto Transportation can reach you.
- Receive an estimate: The Sonic Auto Transportation team will provide an estimate for the cost of delivering your vehicle after they receive your quote request.
- Sign a contract: If you accept an offer after reviewing the estimates, Sonic will request confirmation of details such as appointment timing, drop-off location for your vehicle, and your car’s condition. Once a contract has been drawn up and signed, Sonic will schedule a date for the service.
- Vehicle pickup: The truck driver handling your order will arrive on the selected day and agreed upon location to pick up your vehicle. You’ll need to inspect the vehicle, making note of any damage on the bill of lading before your car is shipped.
- Vehicle delivery: The transporter will meet you at the delivery location ready to unload the vehicle. You’ll need to inspect the car again to make sure it is still in its previous condition before signing the bill of lading and taking it.
What To Know For A Successful Auto Shipment
The bill of lading is important to keep track of during the shipping process. A bill of lading is an agreement between the carrier and customer on the vehicle being transported. It also serves to keep note of any pre-existing damage to the vehicle so that the customer does not have to pay for additional damages suffered during the journey.
To track your car during its journey, you’ll receive an email from Sonic that includes your driver’s phone number and email address. If you don’t want to contact the driver directly, you can also contact your shipping representative.
Sonic Auto Transportation: Conclusion
Sonic Auto Transportation is new to the auto shipping industry, but still provides a solid experience for customers. A variety of shipping services and high customer review scores give this company potential to transform into one of the top providers in the nation. Its ability to pair customers with the cheapest car shipping companies is decent, but could become great as its network grows.
Sonic Auto Transportation: Competitors
While Sonic Auto Transportation offers exceptional car shipping services, you’ll find similarly solid service from Montway Auto Transport and AmeriFreight.
Montway Auto Transport: 4.7 Stars
Montway Auto Transport reviews praise the company for its low prices and high-quality service, calling the shipping broker extremely trustworthy. You can ship a car to Hawaii or Alaska or internationally with Montway. Montway Auto Transport doesn’t guarantee pricing, but most customers say the company offers affordable rates.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport review
AmeriFreight: 4.6 Stars
AmeriFreight works with more than 10,000 carriers across the U.S., making it one of the largest car shipping companies. AmeriFreight reviews speak positively of the company’s relatively strong customer service and shipping options. AmeriFreight provides discounts for military members and students, along with potential savings for first responders, health care workers, and senior citizens.
Read more: AmeriFreight review
Sonic Auto Transportation Reviews: FAQ
The following are some frequently asked questions about Sonic Auto Transportation:
What is Sonic Auto Transportation’s cancellation policy?
As long as your shipment hasn’t been assigned to a carrier, you can cancel free of charge. However, Sonic will not issue a refund if a carrier has already been matched to your vehicle transport job.
How do I pay for shipping my vehicle?
How you pay for vehicle shipping will depend on the company you choose. Some providers will require a deposit via credit card when a carrier is assigned to your shipment. The balance is typically due when your vehicle gets delivered, and you’ll need to pay your driver with cash, a money order, or a certified check.
Can I ship my car with personal items in it?
Most auto transport companies don’t recommend shipping cars with personal items, but some allow up to 100 pounds of cargo to be packed in the trunk. The heavier your car, though, the more expensive it will be to ship.
How We Rate Auto Shipping Companies
Our review team extensively researches car shipping providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: Providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and have a long history in the auto transport industry score well in this category.
- Services: We take a look at what types of transport services are available through each company, including open and enclosed transport, door-to-door shipping, and more. Those with wider service selections are more likely to meet consumers’ needs.
- Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis to get quotes for a variety of shipping routes and services. We compare each company’s costs to industry average prices to see how it stands up to the competition.
- Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot to better understand the consumer experience. Car shipping companies with convenient quote processes also perform well in this category.
