Given that you are considering 2 completely different vehicles, I'd offer the following

1. Civic Hybrid fuel economy is much better; high 40's - low 50's versus low 30's for mpg
2. Civic Hybrid is a Honda; great reliability ratings and high residual value
3. Civic doesn't have the space of the Escape - obviously - but if you don't need it then it's just overhead that you would pay for in lower gas mileage

The only downside to the Civic Hybrid is that they are in such short supply in most areas that you may not be able to test drive one before you buy it.