Why does my washer not appear to have enough water in it — is this normal?

Yes, this is completely normal for this high-efficiency low-water washer. The washer automatically senses the load size and adds the correct amount of water for optimal cleaning, meaning the load will not be completely submerged underwater. Do not add more water to the washer, as adding water lifts items off the washplate and results in less effective cleaning. (Page 15)