On the consumption display, higher bars = higher mileage (mpg). So the higher the better!

I too find that I use a combination of the "energy" and "consumption" displays - if I'm going to be "coasting" I'll switch to the energy display to confirm that I'm pressing the accelerator just enough to stop all regeneration (provides a longer coast, due to less slowing down), or if I can't figure out what's going on with the engine (am I getting electric motor assist or not). Otherwise, I usually keep it on "consumption" so I can track the instantaneous changes in overall mpg (as Bob suggested), is it going up or down? I find it easier to watch the large bar on the right out of the corner of my eye, than to use the actual numbers on the bottom of the Energy screen.

My mileage so far hasn't been great (I got my '06 Prius in January), but I attribute that some to the weather, some to 'break in' time, and some to the fact that I love the car so much I want to drive it everywhere - even on lots of short (mpg-ruining) errand trips! But I'm looking for some 60-mpg tanks come summer... and even if not, hey, over 40 sure beats any other car I've ever had!

C.