this is normal on newer cars. My Corolla was also like this. It's not supposed to be particularly good for the catalytic converter and O2 sensors to let the car run out of gas. Therefore car makers set empty at a much more conservative point. The Low Fuel light also some on ith almost 3 gallons left in the tank.

I actually like having hte early warning. I often go almost 3 hours without stoppign on long trips and get zoned out and forget that I'm getting low on gas. Sometimes the next conveneint gas station near the freeway is almost 50 miles away.