Hp calculations were changed between 05 and 06 model years.
Price.
Full time awd
No head gasket to worry about.
5 speed tranny vs 4 speed.
Mileage is only 1to2mpg off.
No replacement for displacement.
I went wits v8. Made my own projectors that out perform a face lifted 06 head light every day all day. No worries about 4wd actuator since it's full time 4wd. V8 doesn't seem to struggle for a gear at highway speeds while going thru mountains.
I went with 4th v8 because that's the only generation that had it available. You can't unroll the miles. My 03 just turned 202k. At 65mph the v8 spins a lazy 1800 to 2100 rpm iirc. You can put reverse lights into the rear bumper lol.
All things equal I'd go v8, no tpms, tranny is not sealed, power available if things ever change and you need to tow something once in a while.