Indeed, most cars are single wheel drive (FWD or RWD with an open differential). Some more expensive sporty cars have limited slip differentials, mostly to avo

Indeed, most cars are single wheel drive (FWD or RWD with an open differential). Some more expensive sporty cars have limited slip differentials, mostly to avoid inside drive wheels spinning in sharp corners. It helps in the snow as well of course. My Subaru WRX had a limited split in the center and rear, so it had three wheel drive when slippery. The higher end STI had an option for a front limited slip differential. Apparently when rallying on tight courses they would pick three wheel drive because it allows rotating around the inner front wheel for very sharp turns. It's great fun, plant a wheel (literally motionless), the car spins around it, until you let go of the wheel and the car launches in that direction. On more open courses the rally drivers would select the four wheel drive to get the most of the traction when going mostly straight. The Tesla AWD is actually 4wd, but under software control. I wouldn't say as nice as a locking differential, but pretty close and able to get some power to all four wheels.