Anyone sincerely interested in comparing costs can easily do so via various website models. Some are only interested in demeaning hybrids by inventing issues and claiming that a buyer should ignore subsidies.
Basically, the payback can be easily computed from how much the cars cost after subsidies, what the cost of gas is, how many miles you drive and estimated resale value. The rest is red herrings.
Battery replacement is not a big deal. Today's batteries almost all last beyond their warranty period and auto engineers say they should outlast the car, or several hundreds of thousands of miles. Prius batteries are warranteed for 100,000 miles/8 years (150,000/10 in CA). A new one costs less than $3500 and you can get a reconditioned one for half that. They are less likely to fail than the engine or transmission, which have shorter warrantees.
Hybrids usually have lower insurance costs (because their drivers are assumed to be more responsible),. Maintenance costs are comparable, except hybrid car brake pads do not wear out as fast (because the regenerative system eliminates much of the wear).
The lowered cost of gas makes hybrids less attractive, including a lower resale value, but they are partial insurance against price increases.
FWIW, CR chose the Toyota Camry Hybrid as its "best value" car for 2015 for the second straight year, but it was the only hybrid among the top 5.
Bottom line: It depends. I personally prefer a standard car based on performance.
<http://www.hybridcars.com/toyota-camry-hybrid-tops-consumer-reports-best-value-list/>
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