Bluerunner,
You are 100% right, all the mall crawlers and soccer moms are having the bigger say in how 4wd SUV's are being made today. However, most 4X4 Suv's now come with IFS, a challenge that can be overcome with most models with suspension upgrades and the like, but you are right, the articulation is still not there as with a solid front axle. But that is the case with most trucks globally now, so we just have to adapt or start buying 4X4 Excursions if we want the newer models.