The seat of my pants told me my 02 was faster down low too (and it just had the stock gears. My 05 has the standard 3.55 gears, but I think 3.55 is an option for 07)
I don't know why it felt faster. The 05 is much more civilized under power, and the windows are higher up, so I think those 2 things combine to provide the illusion.
Next time you drive his car, benchmark it on a freeway on ramp against the light poles. I couldn't 80km/h in my 02 by the first pole on a particular ramp, but can hit mid 80s passing that same pole in my 05.