Sirs EXI never had ABS like VTI always had ABS with EBD.
The Eagle Eye EXI had added discs on all 4 wheels and also the tires were bigger and wider, so it was superior in braking to previous Cat Eye EXi.
The E140 GLi is even bigger then the new Civic so we should not compare it with 7th Gen Civic.
New GLi definitely brakes better in wet or during cornering.
About old XLi/ GLi, very surprisingly I never felt the brake locking phenomenon in my 05 GLi, but it happens in my office colleague XLi, also happens in 2 XLis, I rented, but then again it was not there in a 08 XLi which I purchased and sold.
So, I am still not sure whether it is a manufacturing fault, due to different combination of disc/pads, brake oil or tires or simply a design fault.
One thing I can assure everyone that it never happened in Canadian Corollas.