It isn't that the article is poorly written, it is written by a writer and not a technician. It is a description of the patent summary interpreted by the writer and re-written at a fifth grade level. The author probably has no understanding that a transfer case is even a thing. The article...
I live slightly north of your location in OH. My 2021 Jeep Gladiator gets parked in my garage nightly, so I have not undercoated it (yet) and don't see any reason to (yet.) However, I also have a pair of kids in college, and their Subarus are parked in the college lots or the driveway...
Gear ratio only matters for accelerating from 0 mph in a manner that the drive-train parts will allow. Axle width matters more as the additional tow capacity will affect the vehicle's ability to track and control what's being towed.
Don't know what State you reside in, but here in OH annual plate registration has an extra $120 green vehicle fee * since you aren't paying as much in fuel tax. Add that insult to your battery replacement injury.
I've had my Sport + Oscar Mike for the same amount of time and have similar questions. My wife is short, so I put side steps to address her being able to get in and out comfortably, and unfortunately lift mods are out. I was thinking appearance - front Bull bar; and comfort - seat tilt kit.