I went with a mate of mine to check out the 7 seater options yesterday. Firstly the XC90. First impressions: small interior, plastic and fake wood do not mix well, dated body shape with little differentiation between the base model and top of the line model. The reversing camera option ($1200) is only available with the sat nav option ($5500). Single in dash CD player is standard, with $750 you can option it to a 6 CD in dash system. The common rail deisel engine to it's credit, was very quiet.
So for around AUS$87,000 you get a deisel 7 seater with nav, camera & 18' alloys.

Next was the X5. The new 7 seater is not in Australia yet, however, pricing and specs are available. Talk is the rear seats are squeezy, no glove box and basically a reworked version of the 11 year old X5 body...stretched 20cm to acccomodate the rear seats. Equally optioned as the XC90, the deisel priced in at AUS$102,000.
I wonder whether the "new" X5 is an interim measure whilst BMW go to work on a full 7 seater to rival the V12 Deisel Q7. I'm sure VW and Porsche would also like an entrant in this growing market for luxuary SUV's. Why my mate doesn't just go and order a Q7 is a mystery to me. Then again...I am biased.

He's driven my Q7 TDI, and loved it. Didn't get to drive the deisel XC90, as there was no demo available to test drive, only one on the lot that had been sold. My guess is the drive comparison would be massive between the 2 cars.

My wife always wanted an XC90 so we had to take one out on test. I couldnt believe the difference (both TDI). The XC90 is rough, noisy, poorly finished and generally "tanky" compared with Q7. You can feel the XC working hard for its acceleration and cornering, the very attributes of TDI Q7 that constantly bring a smile to your face.
Its only saving grace is its smaller on the road which is a consideration around here.

IMHO you will never see a Q7 owner trading in for an XC90.

Is me and Mrs. Hero drove the XC and just shook our head about how large it felt.

The Q7 gave a completely different experience while being just as large (if not larger)... too lazy to look up stats.

aH

I am also in oz and have just placed an order for a q7. Curious as to where in the model range your friend is looking.