Despite the ability of matrix converters (MCs) to generate a higher number of voltage vectors compared with standard voltage-source inverters, most of the applications reported in the literature utilize only those having larger amplitudes. This paper investigates the use of MC input voltages with different amplitudes in order to reduce the inherent torque ripple that appears when direct torque control (DTC) is used to drive ac machines, particularly permanent-magnet synchronous motors, as its stator inductance is typically half of that of an induction machine of similar ratings. Utilizing a wider range of input voltage vectors for the MC, but not using the rotating vectors, a new lookup table that distinguishes between small and large torque errors is developed, leading to an enhanced MC-fed DTC. The enhancement enables a reduction in the electromagnetic torque ripple and output-current total harmonic distortion. Furthermore, the proposed control strategy improves the MC voltage transfer ratio up to 86.6% compared with 50% achieved by the conventional DTC using MCs at the expense, however, of slightly decreasing the input power factor control capability. The proposed enhanced MC DTC was tested experimentally, and results comparing its performance with MC DTC using an adapted lookup table are shown.