Systems and methods are described for a graphical vehicle cluster display that conveys vehicle acceleration information. A controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of vehicle acceleration. A substantially circular icon is displayed on the screen when the signal indicates that the acceleration is approximately zero in a forward direction. A stretched elliptic icon is display on the screen when the acceleration of the vehicle in a forward direction is greater than zero. A compressed elliptic icon is displayed on the screen when the acceleration of the vehicle in the forward direction is less than zero.